JP7156910B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a plurality of stages of set values with different degrees of advantage.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been disclosed a gaming machine that performs an effect suggesting the state of the gaming machine when the power is turned on (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-109082 A

However, the conventional game machine has a problem that the performance may be inconsistent before and after the power is turned off.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game machine capable of preventing inconsistency in presentation before and after recovery from power failure.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes game control means for advancing a game according to one set value being set among a plurality of stages of set values; The result of a lottery executed based on a predetermined random number obtained based on the entry of a game ball into a starting area provided in the game area and one set value in the setting is displayed with a predetermined pattern. variation processing executing means for performing variation processing to notify the player according to the mode of the symbol stopped and displayed after the game is displayed; and setting value suggesting means capable of suggesting to the player that the one set value is set , the set value suggesting means, when resuming the variable display interrupted by the occurrence of a power failure based on recovery from the power failure, the variable display being executed within a specific period after the power failure. is limited to suggesting that the one set value is set.

Further, in the gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the specific period may be a period covering a plurality of times of the variable effect executed after recovery from the power shutdown.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent inconsistency in presentation before and after recovery from power-off.

1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine showing a state in which a door is opened; FIG. 1 is a front view of a game machine; FIG. It is a back view of a game machine. It is a block diagram of a game machine. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of usage of a memory area of a main RAM; It is a diagram for explaining a low-probability jackpot determination random number determination table. It is a diagram for explaining a high-probability jackpot determination random number determination table. It is a figure explaining a hit design random number determination table. It is a figure explaining a reach group determination random number determination table. It is a figure explaining a reach mode determination random number determination table. It is a figure explaining a fluctuation pattern random number determination table. It is a figure explaining a fluctuation time determination table. It is a figure explaining a special electric accessory operation ram set table. It is a figure explaining a game state setting table. It is a figure explaining a hit determination random number determination table. (a) is a diagram for explaining a normal symbol variation time data table, and (b) is a diagram for explaining an opening/closing control pattern table. 10 is a flowchart (part 1) for explaining CPU initialization processing in the main control board; FIG. 10 is a flowchart (part 2) for explaining CPU initialization processing in the main control board; FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the main loop processing in a main control board. FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining save processing at power-off in the main control board; FIG. It is a flow chart explaining timer interruption processing in a main control board. 4 is a flowchart for explaining set value related processing in a main control board; 4 is a flowchart for explaining switch management processing in a main control board; It is a flow chart explaining gate passage processing in a main control board. It is a flow chart explaining the 1st start opening passage processing in a main control board. It is a flow chart explaining the 2nd starting opening passage processing in a main control board. It is a flow chart for explaining a special symbol random number acquisition process in the main control board. It is a flow chart for explaining effect determination processing at the time of acquisition in the main control board. It is a figure explaining a special game management phase. It is a flow chart for explaining a special game management process in the main control board. It is a flow chart for explaining a special symbol variation waiting process in the main control board. It is a flow chart for explaining a special symbol variation number determination process in the main control board. It is a flow chart for explaining a process during special symbol fluctuation in the main control board. It is a flow chart for explaining a special symbol stop symbol display process in the main control board. It is a flow chart for explaining a big winning opening pre-opening process in the main control board. It is a flow chart for explaining a big winning opening open/close switching process in the main control board. It is a flow chart for explaining a big winning opening opening control process in the main control board. It is a flow chart for explaining a large winning opening closing effective process in the main control board. It is a flow chart for explaining a big winning opening end wait process in the main control board. It is a figure explaining the production pattern. It is a figure explaining a fluctuation|variation production|presentation determination table. 4 is a flowchart for explaining sub CPU initialization processing in the sub control board; It is a flowchart explaining the sub-timer interrupt processing in a sub-control board. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining variation command reception processing in the sub control board; FIG. It is a flow chart explaining the special phase specification command reception processing at the time of power-on in the sub-control board. It is a flow chart for explaining a jackpot effect determination process in the sub-control board. It is a flow chart explaining the fluctuation effect return processing in the sub-control board. It is a flow chart for explaining a jackpot production return process in the sub-control board. It is a flow chart explaining time schedule management processing in a sub control board. It is a flow chart for explaining setting suggestion effect control processing in the sub-control board. It is a figure which shows an example of the change of the state of the production|presentation display part at the time of the recovery from power supply interruption which occurred during fluctuation production|action, and power supply interruption in a time series. It is a figure which shows an example of the change of the state of the production|presentation display part at the time of the recovery from the power supply interruption which occurred during the jackpot production and the power supply interruption in time series. (a) is a diagram showing an example of setting suggestion effect group A, (b) is a diagram showing an example of setting suggestion effect group B, and (c) is a view showing an example of setting suggestion effect group C. . It is a diagram showing in chronological order a modification of the change in the state of the effect display unit at the time of power failure occurring during the variable effect and recovery from the power failure. It is a diagram showing in chronological order a modification of the change in the state of the effect display unit at the time of power failure occurring during the jackpot effect and recovery from the power failure.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in these embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are given the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and elements that are not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the drawings. do.

In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical configuration and electrical configuration of the gaming machine will be briefly described first, and then specific processing on each board will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gaming machine 100 of this embodiment, showing a state in which the door is opened. As shown, the game machine 100 includes an outer frame 102 in which a space is formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, an inner frame 104 attached to the outer frame 102 by a hinge mechanism so as to be openable and closable, and the inner frame 104. A front frame 106 attached to the inner frame 104 by a hinge mechanism so as to be openable and closable is provided.

As with the outer frame 102, the inner frame 104 has four sides formed in a substantially rectangular shape to form a surrounding space, and a game board 108 is held in this surrounding space. Further, the front frame 106 holds a transmission plate 110 made of glass or resin. When the inner frame 104 and the front frame 106 are closed with respect to the outer frame 102, the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110 face each other substantially parallel to each other while maintaining a predetermined distance. , the game board 108 becomes visible through the transparent plate 110 .

FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 100. FIG. As shown in this figure, an operation handle 112 projecting toward the front side of the gaming machine 100 is provided at the lower portion of the front frame 106 . The operating handle 112 is provided so that the player can rotate it, and when the player rotates the operating handle 112 to perform a shooting operation, the strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the operating handle 112 is applied (not shown). A game ball is shot by the shooting mechanism. The game ball shot in this manner rises between rails 114 a and 114 b provided on the game board 108 and is guided to the game area 116 .

The game area 116 is a space formed between the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110, and is an area in which game balls can flow down or roll. The game board 108 is provided with a large number of nails and windmills, and the game balls guided to the game area 116 collide with the nails and the windmills to flow down and roll in irregular directions.

The game area 116 is provided with a first game area 116a and a second game area 116b in which the degree of entry of game balls differs from each other according to the firing intensity of the shooting mechanism. The first game area 116a is located on the left side of the game area 116 when viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100, and the second game area 116b is located on the left side of the game area 116 when viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100. located on the right side of the Since the rails 114a and 114b are located on the left side of the game area 116, the game ball fired by the shooting mechanism with a shooting intensity lower than a predetermined intensity enters the first game area 116a and is shot with a shooting intensity equal to or higher than the predetermined intensity. The played game ball enters the second game area 116b.

In addition, the game area 116 is provided with a general winning opening 118, a first starting opening 120, and a second starting opening 122 (not shown in FIG. 2) into which game balls can enter. When game balls enter the first start port 120 and the second start port 122, predetermined prize balls are paid out to the player. The number of prize balls paid out based on the entry of game balls may be different for each winning hole.

Although details will be described later, a first starting region is provided within the first starting port 120 and a second starting region is provided within the second starting port 122 . Then, when the game ball enters the first start port 120 or the second start port 122 and enters the first start area or the second start area, one of a plurality of special symbols provided in advance is selected. A lottery is held to determine 1 special symbol. Each special symbol is associated with various game benefits such as whether or not a large winning game advantageous to the player can be executed, and what kind of game state the subsequent game state should be. Therefore, when a game ball enters the first start hole 120 or the second start hole 122, the player can obtain a predetermined prize ball and at the same time obtain an opportunity to obtain rights to receive various game benefits. becomes.

In addition, a movable piece 122b is provided in the second starting port 122 so that it can be opened and closed. It's becoming Specifically, when the movable piece 122b is in the closed state, it is impossible to enter the game ball into the second starting port 122.例文帳に追加On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the entry area in the gate 124 provided in the game area 116, a lottery of normal symbols, which will be described later, is performed. controlled to be open. In this way, when the movable piece 122b is in the open state, the movable piece 122b functions as a tray that guides the game ball to the second starting hole 122, making it easier for the game ball to enter the second starting hole 122. In addition, here, when the second starting port 122 is in the closed state, it is assumed that the game ball cannot enter the second starting port 122, but when the second starting port 122 is in the closed state In some cases, it may be configured so that the game ball can be entered with a certain frequency.

Furthermore, the game area 116 is provided with a big winning opening 128 into which game balls can enter. An openable/closable door 128b is provided in the large winning opening 128. Normally, the opening/closing door 128b closes the large winning opening 128, making it impossible for game balls to enter the large winning opening 128. It's becoming On the other hand, when the above-mentioned big win game is executed, the opening/closing door 128b is opened, and the entry of the game ball into the big winning opening 128 becomes possible. Then, when a game ball enters the big winning hole 128, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player.

In addition, at the bottom of the game area 116, a game ball that has not entered any of the general winning opening 118, the first start opening 120, the second starting opening 122, and the big winning opening 128 is played from the game area 116. A discharge port 130 for discharging is provided on the back side of the board 108 .

The game machine 100 includes a performance display device 200 made of a liquid crystal display device, a performance accessory device 202 made of a movable device, and various lighting modes and light emission colors as performance devices for performing performance during the progress of the game. An effect lighting device 204 made up of a lamp, a sound output device 206 made up of a speaker, and an effect operation device 208 that accepts the player's operation are provided.

The effect display device 200 is provided with a effect display unit 200a consisting of an image display unit for displaying an image. are placed. In this effect display section 200a, effect patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c are variably displayed as shown, and the player is notified of the result of the large role lottery by the stopped display mode of each of these effect patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c. will be executed.

The effect accessory device 202 is arranged in front of the effect display unit 200a and normally retreats to the back side of the game board 108. It is movable up to the front of the display part 200a to give the player a feeling of anticipation of a big win.

The effect lighting device 204 is provided in the effect accessory device 202, the game board 108, etc., and is variously controlled to be lit according to the image displayed on the effect display section 200a. The effect lighting device 204 has, for example, full-color LEDs.

The sound output device 206 is provided at the upper position of the front frame 106 or the lowest position of the outer frame 102, and outputs various sounds toward the front side of the gaming machine 100 in accordance with the image displayed on the effect display section 200a. to output

The effect operation device 208 is composed of a button that receives a player's pressing operation, and is provided at a substantially central position in the width direction of the gaming machine 100 and at a position lower than the transmission plate 110 . This effect operation device 208 is activated in accordance with the image displayed on the effect display unit 200a, and when the player's operation is received within the operation valid period, various effects are produced in accordance with the operation. is executed.

Incidentally, reference numeral 132 denotes an upper plate into which prize balls paid out from the gaming machine 100 and game balls rented from the game ball lending device are guided. It will lead to 134. Also, the bottom surface of the lower tray 134 is formed with a ball removal hole (not shown) for ejecting game balls from the lower tray 134 . This ball removal hole is normally closed by an opening/closing plate (not shown), but by sliding the ball removal knob 134a in the horizontal direction in the drawing, the opening/closing plate slides integrally with the ball removal knob 134a. Then, the game ball can be discharged below the lower tray 134 through the ball extraction hole.

In addition, on the game board 108, a first special symbol display device 160, a second special symbol display device 162, a first special symbol holding device, and a first special symbol display device 160, a second special symbol display device 162, and a first special symbol reserve are provided outside the game area 116 and at positions visible to the player. A display device 164, a second special symbol reservation display device 166, a normal symbol display device 168, a normal symbol reservation display device 170, and a right-handed information display device 172 are provided. Each of these displays 160 to 172 is a device for displaying various situations relating to the game, and the details thereof will be described later.

(Structure of the back side of the game machine)
3 is a back view of the gaming machine 100. FIG. On the back side of the gaming machine 100 are a main control board case 103, a game information output terminal board 312, a prize ball storage tank 315, a prize ball payout channel 317, a payout ball counting switch 316s, a back cover 331, and a payout control board case 313. And an inner frame open switch 145s and the like are installed. In addition, on the back side of the game machine 100, various electronic devices (including a control computer (not shown)) constituting the power system and control system of the game machine 100, a power cord 109 having a power plug, and connection wiring (not shown) are provided. etc. are installed.

A main control board 300 for controlling basic game operations of the gaming machine 100 is housed in a main control board case 103 in a partially exposed state at the center of the back side of the gaming machine 100 . The details of the configuration of the main control board 300 will be described later.

The game information output terminal board 312 is connected to electronic equipment outside the gaming machine 100 (eg, data display device, hall computer, etc.). Various external information signals (for example, prize ball information, error information, jackpot information, starter information, etc.) representing the game progress state, maintenance state, etc. of the gaming machine 100 are sent from the game information output terminal plate 312 to an external electronic device. output as

The prize ball storage tank 315 can store game balls supplied from a supply route (not shown). When the prize balls are paid out, the game balls stored in the prize ball storage tank 315 are guided to the upper plate 132 (see FIG. 2) on the front side of the gaming machine 100 through the prize ball payout channel 317. be killed. The payout ball count switch 316 s detects the number of game balls paid out through the prize ball payout flow path 317 .

The back cover 331 is a cover member that covers the sub-control board 330 that mainly controls various effects such as during play and during standby. In addition, the payout control board case 313 is a case member housing the payout control board 310 that controls the shooting of game balls and the payout of prize balls. Details of the sub control board 330 and the payout control board 310 will be described later.

In the lower left area of the payout control board case 313, an inner frame open switch 145s is provided. The inner frame open switch 145s will be described later. Also, the power cord 109 is connected to a power supply (for example, 24 V AC) installed in, for example, an island facility of the amusement arcade. As a result, the power supply (power) necessary for the operation of the game machine 100 is ensured.

(Configuration of main control board)
A performance indicator 300 d is provided in the upper left area on the main control board 300 . The performance indicator 300d in this embodiment consists of a 7-segment LED indicator with 4 decimal points. Specifically, the performance indicator 300d has four display areas 361, 362, 363, and 364. FIG. A number (counter value) is associated with each segment constituting the 7-segment LED display in the display areas 361 to 364, and numbers and alphabets can be displayed by controlling the lighting of each segment corresponding to the counter value.
Accordingly, performance indicator 300d can display up to four alphanumeric characters. A performance indicator 300d having four display areas 361, 362, 363, and 364 displays a set value (to be described later) and a value (for example, a base value) calculated based on the number of winning balls.

The performance indicator 300d is not limited to the position shown in FIG. It may be provided at a position where it is easy to confirm without overlapping with. The main control board case 103 is made of a transparent material (for example, polycarbonate) so that the main control board 300 housed inside can be seen from the outside.

A main IC 300x is arranged below the performance indicator 300d. The main IC 300x is, for example, a V5 chip, and incorporates a main CPU 300a, a main ROM 300b and a main RAM 300c (not shown in FIG. 3, see FIG. 4). The main CPU 300a reads the program stored in the main ROM 300b based on the input signals from the detection switches and timers and performs arithmetic processing, and directly controls each device and display, or the result of the arithmetic processing. Send commands to other boards accordingly. The main RAM 300c also functions as a data work area during arithmetic processing of the main CPU 300a.

A RAM clear button 305 is provided at the lower left end on the main control board 300 . The RAM clear button 305 is exposed outside from the main control board case 103 so that the RAM clear button 305 can be operated with the main control board case 103 sealed. When the RAM clear button 305 is pressed, the RAM clear detection switch 305s (see FIG. 4) detects the pressing operation of the RAM clear button 305 and outputs a RAM clear signal. The RAM clear signal is used, for example, at power-on to determine whether the main CPU 300a should initialize the main RAM 300c.

(Setting key operation)
The main control board 300 is provided with a setting key insertion port 306 in addition to the RAM clear button 305 . The setting key insertion port 306 is an insertion port (keyhole) for inserting a dedicated key (setting key) used for changing or referring to setting values, which will be described later. The gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to set the setting value in six stages from 1 to 6 by pressing the RAM clear button 305 together with operating the setting key. Although the details will be described later, the gaming machine 100 progresses the game according to the setting value being set, and the advantage degree differs for each setting value.

The setting key insertion port 306 is composed of a cylinder lock having a cylinder. Also, the cylinder of the setting key insertion port 306 is provided in a state of penetrating the main control board case 103 (a state in which the circumference of the cylinder is surrounded by the main control board case 103). Therefore, while the main control board 300 is sealed in the main control board case 103, the setting key can be inserted into the setting key insertion port 306 and rotated.

(Internal configuration of control means)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of control means for controlling the progress of the game.

The main control board 300 controls the basic operations of the game. The main control board 300 includes a main CPU 300a, a main ROM 300b, and a main RAM 300c. The main CPU 300a reads the program stored in the main ROM 300b based on the input signals from the detection switches and timers and performs arithmetic processing, and directly controls each device and display, or the result of the arithmetic processing. Send commands to other boards accordingly. Further, the main CPU 300a uses the main RAM 300c and internal registers (not shown) of the main CPU 300a as data work areas during arithmetic processing.

Here, a usage example of the memory area (F000H to F3FFH) allocated to the main RAM 300c among the memory areas used by the main CPU 300a as a work area will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the area of addresses F000H to F1FFH is divided into four areas, first area to fourth area, according to the type of data to be stored. The first area is an area for storing information related to set values (set value related information) and information related to game states (game state related information). The second area is an area for storing checksum-related information and backup-related information used for error detection related to power restoration in CPU initialization processing (FIG. 14) described later. The third area is an area for storing error-related information and first normal game state information. The fourth area is an area for storing second normal game information and an area used as a stack area.
An area of addresses F000H to F1FFH including the first to fourth areas is called a used area. The usable area is a memory area for storing information (data) essential for the progress of the gaming machine, and the usable capacity is limited by game rules.

In the main RAM 300c, an area of addresses F300H to F3FFH is an area used to store information that is not essential for the progress of the game, and is called an unusable area. In this example, information (performance display related information) related to display control of the performance indicator 300d is stored in the non-use area. Information related to output control of the test signal may be stored in the non-use area. The test signal is the current internal state of the gaming machine 100 (for example, special game management phase, normal game management phase, launch position designation state, execution status of big role game, game state (high probability, low probability, time saving, non-time saving ) etc.) to the outside of the main control board 300 in real time.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the area between the used area and the non-used area (area of addresses F200H to F2FF) is an unused area that is not used for data storage.
Thus, in the gaming machine 100, the main RAM 300c is composed of a used area, a non-used area and an unused area. In this example, the main RAM 300c is assigned an address value for each 1-byte area. Therefore, an area corresponding to 256 bytes is allocated as an unused area. It should be noted that an area of at least 16 bytes or more should be allocated as the unused area.

Returning to FIG. 4, the gaming machine 100 of this embodiment mainly includes a special game that is started by entering a game ball into the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, and a game ball that passes through the gate 124. It is roughly divided into a normal game that is started by doing. The main ROM 300b of the main control board 300 stores various programs for progressing special games and normal games, data necessary for various games, and tables.

The main control board 300 includes a general winning hole detection switch 118s for detecting that a game ball has entered the general winning hole 118, and a first starting hole for detecting that a game ball has entered the first starting hole 120. A detection switch 120s, a second start opening detection switch 122s for detecting that a game ball has entered the second start opening 122, a gate detection switch 124s for detecting that a game ball has passed through the gate 124, and a large winning opening 128. A large winning opening detection switch 128s for detecting that a game ball has entered is connected, and a detection signal is input to the main control board 300 from each of these detection switches.

In addition, the main control board 300 has a normal electric accessory solenoid 122c that operates the movable piece 122b of the second starting port 122, and a large winning prize opening solenoid 128c that operates an open/close door 128b that opens and closes the large winning prize opening 128. The main control board 300 controls the opening and closing of the second starting port 122 and the big winning port 128 .

Furthermore, the main control board 300 includes a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, a first special symbol reservation display 164, a second special symbol reservation display 166, a normal symbol display 168, and a normal symbol display. A symbol holding indicator 170 and a right-handed information indicator 172 are connected, and the main control board 300 controls the display of each of these indicators.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 is connected to a front frame open switch 141s, an out switch 143s and an inner frame open switch 145s. Hereinafter, the inner frame open switch 145s and the front frame open switch 141s may be collectively referred to as an open/close frame member open switch. The opening/closing frame member open switch is a switch for detecting that the game machine 100 has opened the opening/closing frame members such as the inner frame 104 and the front frame 106 .

The front frame open switch 141s outputs an open detection signal (ON signal) to the main control board 300 when it detects that the front frame 106 is open. Further, the inner frame open switch 145 s outputs an open detection signal (ON signal) to the main control board 300 when detecting that the inner frame 104 is opened with respect to the outer frame 102 .

Although not shown in FIG. 4, the game machine 100 has various functions other than the open/close frame member release switch for detecting the possibility of an abnormality in each configuration of the game machine 100 or an illegality with respect to each configuration. An anomaly detection switch may be provided. For example, the gaming machine 100 may be provided with a radio wave detection switch for detecting radio waves, a magnetism detection switch for detecting magnetism, and the like as the abnormality detection switches.

When the out switch 143s detects that the game ball launched to the game area 116 has passed through a game ball discharge path (not shown) that passes when discharged to the outside of the gaming machine 100, the main control board 300 is out. Outputs a ball detection signal (ON signal).
A game ball that enters any one of a general winning hole 118, a first starting hole 120, a second starting hole 122 and a big winning hole 128, and a ball that enters a discharge hole 130 without entering any of the winning holes. A game ball passes through the game machine ball discharge path described above. That is, all the game balls discharged to the outside after being shot to the game area 116 are detected by the out switch 143s in the game ball discharge path.

Further, on the back surface of the game board 108, a setting key switch 180s and a RAM clear detection switch 305s are provided. The setting key switch 180s is configured to be accessible by the setting key described above. When the setting key switch 180s detects the rotation operation of the setting key inserted into the setting key insertion port 306, the setting key switch 180s sends a setting key rotation detection signal (ON signal) indicating the state of the rotation operation (rotation state) to the main control board 300. Output.
Also, the RAM clear detection switch 305 s is configured to be accessible by depressing the RAM clear button 305 . The RAM clear detection switch 305 s outputs a press detection signal (ON signal) to the main control board 300 when it detects that the RAM clear button 305 is pressed (pressing operation).

The gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment can change the setting values by using the setting key that can access the setting key switch 180 s and the RAM clear button 305 .
Here, a procedure for changing the setting value will be described.

(Set value change procedure)
First, while the game machine 100 is not powered on (power off), the operator who changes the settings opens the inner frame 104 with respect to the outer frame 102 using a dedicated key. As a result, components such as the main control board 300 arranged on the back surface of the gaming machine 100 can be visually recognized.
A setting key slot 306 for inserting a setting key and a RAM clear button 305 are provided on the back side of the gaming machine 100 (see FIG. 3). The operator inserts the setting key into the setting key insertion port 306 and rotates (changes) the setting key in one direction (for example, clockwise). Furthermore, the operator presses the RAM clear button 305 .

Next, the operator turns on the gaming machine 100 while the setting key is rotated and the RAM clear button 305 is pressed.
When the power is turned on, the inner frame open switch 145 s detects that the inner frame 104 is open with respect to the outer frame 102 , and an open detection signal (ON signal) is input to the main control board 300 . Also, the setting key switch 180 s detects that the setting key has been rotated clockwise by turning on the power, and a setting key rotation detection signal (ON signal) is input to the main control board 300 . Further, the RAM clear detection switch 305 s detects that the RAM clear button has been pressed when the power is turned on, and a press detection signal (ON signal) is input to the main control board 300 . Based on the ON signal input to the main control board 300 by the inner frame opening switch 145s, the setting key switch 180s, and the RAM clear detection switch 305s, the game machine 100 enters a state where the setting values can be changed (switched) ( setting change state).

The operator presses the RAM clear button 305 an arbitrary number of times in the setting change state to access the RAM clear detection switch 305s, thereby changing the set value to one of a plurality of steps (for example, six steps). be able to. At this time, the set values are displayed, for example, in display areas 361 to 364 of the performance indicator 300d.

After changing the set value to an arbitrary value, the operator rotates the setting key, which was rotated clockwise during the change operation, counterclockwise to return it to its original position (return operation). By the return operation, the setting key switch 180s detects that the setting key has returned to its original position, and a signal (off signal) indicating the detection is input to the main control board 300 from the setting key switch 180s. The main control board 300 confirms the change of the set value based on the input of the off signal. The setting key switch 180s periodically outputs a setting key rotation detection signal (ON signal) to the main control board 300 based on the detection of the rotation operation, and does not output the ON signal until the return operation is detected. If the return operation is detected continuously, the output of the setting key rotation detection signal (ON signal) to the main control board 300 may be stopped. In this case, the main control board 300 may confirm the change of the set value based on the stop of the input of the ON signal.

When the setting value change is confirmed and the operator pulls out the setting key from the setting key insertion port 306, the setting value displayed on the performance indicator 300d is erased and the display of the setting value ends (when the setting value is hidden). Finally, the operator closes the inner frame 104 of the gaming machine 100 and locks it with a dedicated key. This completes the setting change operation. When the setting change operation is completed, a normal game is started.

Although the details will be described later, when the setting value is changed, the main CPU 300a of the main control board 300 stores the changed setting value in a predetermined area of the main RAM 300c (for example, the first area of the specification areas to be backed up). ). As a result, it is possible to refer to the set value being set during the game.

In this way, the gaming machine 100 detects a setting key change operation (setting key ON) at the setting key switch 180s when the power is turned on, and detects that the inner frame 104 screen is released at the inner frame release switch 145s (inner frame open state), and when it is detected that the RAM clear button 305 has been pressed in the RAM clear detection switch 305s (RAM clear pressed state), the setting change state (setting change mode) is entered.
In the setting change state, the displays 160 to 172 for displaying information such as special games and normal games are not displayed, and normal games such as shooting game balls and winning game balls cannot be performed. In addition, in the setting change state, each display 160 to 172 may maintain a light-off state, or may maintain a dedicated (specific) lighting pattern during the setting change state so as to differ from normal display. can be

(setting confirmation state)
As described above, changing the setting value has been described, but the gaming machine 100 can confirm the setting value that is currently being set without changing the setting value.
Specifically, when the game machine 100 is turned on without pressing the RAM clear button 305 while the setting key is changed (rotated clockwise) in the setting change procedure described above, the current setting is performed. setting value can be confirmed (setting confirmation state).

That is, when the power is turned on, the game machine 100 detects that the setting key switch 180s has changed the setting key (set key ON), and the inner frame opening switch 145s detects that the inner frame 104 screen has been released (inner frame open state ), and when the RAM clear detection switch 305s does not detect that the RAM clear button 305 has been pressed (RAM clear unpressed state), the setting confirmation state (setting confirmation mode) is entered.
As in the setting change state, the display devices 160 to 172 are not displayed in the setting confirmation state, and normal games such as shooting game balls and winning game balls cannot be performed. In addition, in the setting confirmation state, each display 160 to 172 may maintain a light-off state, or may maintain a dedicated (specific) lighting pattern in the setting confirmation state so as to differ from normal display. can be

A payout control board 310 and a sub control board 330 are connected to the main control board 300 .

The payout control board 310 performs control for shooting game balls and payout prize balls. This payout control board 310 also includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally. A game information output terminal board 312 is connected to the payout control board 310 , and various information on the progress of the game output from the main control board 300 is transmitted via the payout control board 310 and the game information output terminal board 312 . , is output to a hall computer or the like of the amusement arcade.

The payout control board 310 is also connected with a payout motor 314 for paying out the game balls stored in the storage portion to the player as prize balls. The payout control board 310 controls the payout motor 314 based on the payout number designation command transmitted from the main control board 300 to pay out predetermined prize balls to the player. At this time, the payout of game balls is detected by the payout detection switch 315s, the number of game balls put out is detected by the payout ball counting switch 316s, and it is grasped whether the prize balls to be put out have been put out to the player. It has become. When the payout motor 314 is driven to actually pay out the prize balls, a detection signal from the payout detection switch 315s and a count signal from the payout ball count switch 316s are input to the payout control board 310 each time.

Further, the payout control board 310 is connected with a full-dish detection switch 318 s for detecting the full state of the lower tray 134 . The plate full detection switch 318s is provided in a passage that guides game balls paid out as prize balls to the lower plate 134, and every time a game ball passes through the passage, a game ball detection signal is input to the payout control board 310. It is designed to be

Then, when the lower tray 134 is filled with a predetermined amount or more of game balls, the game balls stay in the passage toward the lower tray 134, and are directed toward the payout control board 310 from the tray full detection switch 318s. , the game ball detection signal is continuously input. The payout control board 310 determines that the lower tray 134 is full when the game ball detection signal is continuously input for a predetermined period of time, and transmits a full tray command to the main control board 300 . On the other hand, when the continuous input of the game ball detection signal is interrupted after the full-dish command is transmitted, it is determined that the full-drained state is canceled, and the full-dish full-drain release command is transmitted to the main control board 300 .

A launch control board 320 is connected to the payout control board 310 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally. The firing control board 320 permits firing when receiving the firing control data from the payout control board 310 . The shooting control board 320 is provided on the operating handle 112, and is connected to a touch sensor 112s for detecting that the operating handle 112 is touched by the player and an operation volume 112a for detecting the operating angle of the operating handle 112. . When a signal is input from the touch sensor 112s and the operation volume 112a, the shooting control board 320 controls the shooting solenoid 112c provided in the game ball shooting device to energize and shoot the game ball.

The sub-control board 330 mainly controls each effect such as during a game or during standby. The sub-control board 330 includes a sub-CPU 330 a , sub-ROM 330 b , sub-RAM 330 c , image control section 340 , audio control section 350 , lighting control section 360 and movable body control section 370 . The sub CPU 330a, the image control section 340, the audio control section 350, the lighting control section 360, and the movable body control section 370 may each be composed of separate circuits. At least two or more of the sub CPU 330a, the image control unit 340, the audio control unit 350, the lighting control unit 360, and the movable body control unit 370 are configured by one circuit (for example, one package or one chip). It may be configured as a functional block of a circuit.

The sub control board 330 is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be able to communicate in one direction from the main control board 300 to the sub control board 330 . The sub CPU 330a reads out the program stored in the sub ROM 330b based on the command transmitted from the main control board 300, the input signal from the timer, etc., and performs arithmetic processing. It is transmitted to at least one of control unit 340 , audio control unit 350 , illumination control unit 360 and movable body control unit 370 . At this time, the sub-RAM 330c functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the sub-CPU 330a.

The image control section 340 performs image display control for displaying an image on the effect display section 200a of the effect display device 200, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a VRAM. The ROM of the image control unit 340 stores a large amount of image data such as patterns and backgrounds to be displayed on the effect display unit 200a. The information is read from the ROM to the VRAM, and the image display of the effect display section 200a is controlled.

The audio control unit 350 performs audio output control for outputting audio from the audio output device 206 based on commands transmitted from the sub control board 330 . Also, the lighting control unit 360 performs lighting control for lighting the effect lighting device 204 based on commands transmitted from the sub control board 330 . The movable body control unit 370 moves the performance accessory device 202 based on the command transmitted from the sub-control board 330, and moves the press button 208a of the performance operation device 208 by popping out toward the player side. Controls motion. Further, the movable body control unit 370 sends a predetermined command or control signal to the sub control board 330 when an operation detection signal is input from the effect operation device detection switch 208s that detects that the push button 208a has been pressed. Send.

A power supply board (not shown) is connected to each board, and power is supplied to each board from a commercial power supply via the power supply board. Also, the power supply board is provided with a backup power supply composed of a capacitor.

Next, a game in the gaming machine 100 of this embodiment will be described together with various tables stored in the main ROM 300b.

As described above, in the gaming machine 100 of the present embodiment, two types of games, the special game and the normal game, progress in parallel. Alternatively, the game progresses in one of the game states in which one of the high-probability game states and one of the non-time-saving game state and one of the time-saving game states are combined.

The details of each game state will be described later, but the low-probability game state is a game state in which the probability of winning the right to execute the big win game in which the big winning opening 128 is opened is set low, and the high-probability game state. That is, it is a gaming state in which the probability of winning the right to execute the big win game is set high.

In addition, the non-time-saving gaming state is a gaming state in which the movable piece 122b is less likely to open and the game ball is less likely to enter the second start port 122, and the time-saving gaming state is more than the non-time-saving gaming state. Also, the movable piece 122b is likely to be in an open state, and the game ball is likely to enter the second starting port 122. The initial state of the gaming machine 100 is set to a low-probability gaming state and a non-time-saving gaming state, and this gaming state is referred to as a normal gaming state in the present embodiment.

When the player operates the operation handle 112 to shoot the game ball into the game area 116, and the game ball flowing down the game area 116 enters the first start hole 120 or the second start hole 122, the player is asked to play the game. A lottery (hereinafter referred to as a "big role lottery") is held to decide whether or not to give a profit. In this big win lottery, when a big win is won, a big win game is executed in which the big win port 128 is opened and a game ball can enter the big win port 128, and after the big win game ends. The game state is set to one of the above game states. Below, the major role lottery method will be described.

Although details will be described later, when a game ball enters the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, various random numbers related to the big role lottery (jackpot determination random number, winning pattern random number, reach group determination random number, reach Mode determination random number, variation pattern random number) are acquired, and each of these random values (reservation information) is stored in the special figure reservation storage area of the main RAM 300c. Hereinafter, various random numbers stored in the special figure reservation storage area after the game ball enters the first start port 120 are collectively referred to as special 1 reservation, and the game ball enters the second start port 122. Various random numbers stored in the special figure reservation storage area are collectively called special 2 reservation.

The special figure reservation storage area of the main RAM 300c includes a first special figure reservation storage area and a second special figure reservation storage area. The first special figure reservation storage area and the second special figure reservation storage area each have four storage units (first to fourth storage units). Then, when the game ball enters the first start port 120, the special 1 reservation is stored in order from the first storage part of the first special figure reservation storage area, and when the game ball enters the second start port 122, special 2 reservation is stored in order from the first storage part of the second special figure reservation storage area.

For example, when the game ball enters the first start port 120, if the reservation is not stored in any of the first to fourth storage units of the first special figure reservation storage area, the first storage unit Store special 1 hold. Also, for example, in a state where special 1 suspension is stored in the first storage unit to the third storage unit, when the game ball enters the first start port 120, special 1 suspension is stored in the fourth storage unit Remember. Also, when the game ball enters the second start port 122, in the same manner as above, the special 2 reservation is stored in the first to fourth storage units of the second special figure reservation storage area. The special 2 hold is stored in the storage unit with the smallest number (ordinal number) that is not available.

However, the number of special 1 reservations (X1) and the number of special 2 reservations (X2) that can be stored in the first special figure reservation storage area and the second special figure reservation storage area are set to four respectively. Therefore, for example, when a game ball enters the first start port 120, if four special 1 reservations are already stored in the first special figure reservation storage area, to the first start port 120 A special 1 suspension is not newly stored by the entry of a game ball. Similarly, when the game ball enters the second start port 122, if four special 2 reservations are already stored in the second special figure reservation storage area, the game to the second start port 122 A special 2 hold is not newly memorized by the entry of a ball.

Next, the jackpot determination table used for the big win lottery in the gaming machine 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a low-probability jackpot determination table, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a high-probability jackpot determination table. In the gaming machine 100, when a game ball enters the first starting port 120 or the second starting port 122, one jackpot determination random number is obtained from within the comparative numerical value range of 0-65535. Then, when starting the big win lottery, that is, according to the game state when judging the big win and the setting value during setting, the big win judgment table (comparative numerical value range used for judging the big win) is selected, and the selection A big win lottery is performed based on the obtained big win determination table and the acquired big win determination random number.

In the low-probability gaming state, when the big win lottery is started for the special 1 reservation and the special 2 reservation, the low-probability jackpot determination tables shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(f) are referred to. Here, in the present embodiment, there are provided six levels of setting values with different degrees of advantage, and the low-probability jackpot determination table is provided for each setting value. During the game, a set value is set to one of six stages, and a big win lottery is performed with reference to a low-probability jackpot determination table corresponding to the currently set set value.

In the low-probability gaming state, when the set value is set to 1, a large winning lottery is performed with reference to the low-probability jackpot determination table a shown in FIG. 6(a). According to this low probability jackpot determination table a, when the jackpot determination random number is 10001 to 10218, it is determined as a jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot probability in this case is about 1/300.

When the set value is set to 2, a large winning lottery is performed with reference to the low-probability jackpot determination table b shown in FIG. 6(b). According to this low probability jackpot determination table b, when the jackpot decision random number is 10001 to 10243, it is determined as a jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot probability in this case is about 1/270.

When the set value is set to 3, a large winning lottery is performed with reference to the low-probability jackpot determination table c shown in FIG. 6(c). According to this low probability jackpot determination table c, when the jackpot decision random number is 10001 to 10273, it is determined as a jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot probability in this case is about 1/240.

When the set value is set to 4, a large winning lottery is performed with reference to the low-probability jackpot determination table d shown in FIG. 6(d). According to this low probability jackpot determination table d, when the jackpot determination random number is 10001 to 10312, it is determined as a jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot probability in this case is about 1/210.

When the set value is set to 5, a large winning lottery is performed with reference to the low-probability jackpot determination table e shown in FIG. 6(e). According to this low probability jackpot determination table e, when the jackpot determination random number is 10001 to 10364, it is determined as a jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot probability in this case is about 1/180.

When the set value is set to 6, the big winning lottery is performed with reference to the low-probability jackpot determination table f shown in FIG. 6(f). According to this low probability jackpot determination table f, when the jackpot decision random number is 10001 to 10437, it is determined as a jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot probability in this case is about 1/150.

Also, in the high-probability gaming state, when the big win lottery is started for special 1 suspension and special 2 suspension, the high-probability jackpot determination tables shown in FIGS. 7(a) to 7(f) are referred to. Here, in the present embodiment, a high-probability big-hit determination table is provided for each set value in the same manner as the low-probability big-hit determination table. Therefore, in the high-probability gaming state, the determination of the jackpot is performed with reference to the high-probability jackpot determination table (comparative numerical value range used to determine the jackpot) corresponding to the currently set value.

In the high-probability gaming state, when the set value is set to 1, a big win lottery is performed with reference to the high-probability jackpot determination table a shown in FIG. 7(a). According to the high probability jackpot determination table a, when the jackpot decision random number is 10001 to 10655, it is determined as a jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot probability in this case is about 1/100.

When the set value is set to 2, the big win lottery is performed with reference to the high probability jackpot determination table b shown in FIG. 7(b). According to the high probability jackpot determination table b, when the jackpot determination random number is 10001 to 10728, it is determined as a jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot probability in this case is about 1/90.

When the set value is set to 3, the big win lottery is performed with reference to the high-probability jackpot determination table c shown in FIG. 7(c). According to the high probability jackpot determination table c, when the jackpot determination random number is 10001 to 10819, it is determined as a jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot probability in this case is about 1/80.

When the set value is set to 4, the big win lottery is performed with reference to the high probability jackpot determination table d shown in FIG. 7(d). According to the high probability jackpot determination table d, when the jackpot determination random number is 10001 to 10936, it is determined as a jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot probability in this case is about 1/70.

When the set value is set to 5, a big win lottery is performed with reference to a high probability jackpot determination table e shown in FIG. 7(e). According to the high probability jackpot determination table e, when the jackpot determination random number is 10001 to 11092, it is determined as a jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot probability in this case is about 1/60.

When the set value is set to 6, the big win lottery is performed with reference to the high-probability jackpot determination table f shown in FIG. 7(f). According to the high probability jackpot determination table f, when the jackpot determination random number is 10001 to 11310, it is determined as a jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot probability in this case is about 1/50.

As described above, in the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the big win lottery is performed according to the set values being set, regardless of whether the low-probability game state or the high-probability state is set. In the present embodiment, the big win lottery has different winning probabilities of big wins according to the above set values, and when the set values are high, it is easier to win big wins than when the set values are low. Further, in the present embodiment, the lower limit of the comparison numerical range (the numerical range to be compared with the jackpot determination random number) in the jackpot determination table is the same value (10001). As a result, the gaming machine 100 can streamline the control processing procedure relating to the big win determination at the time of the big win lottery. A control processing procedure for judging a big hit will be described later.

In addition, in the gaming machine 100, when the high-probability game state is set, the probability of winning a big win is higher than when the low-probability game state is set. Also, here, the odds of winning the jackpot differ for each set value, but the odds of winning the jackpot in either the low-probability game state or the high-probability game state may be common to all set values.
In addition, FIG. 6 shows an example in which a low-probability jackpot determination table is provided for each set value. may be configured as a single table that defines different comparative numerical ranges. Similarly, the high-probability jackpot determination table may also be configured as one table that defines a different comparison numerical range for each setting.

Also, in the high-probability gaming state, the probability of winning a big hit is higher than in the low-probability gaming state. Here, the winning probability of the big win in the high-probability gaming state is common for all set values, but the winning probability of the big win in the high-probability gaming state may differ for each set value. Even in this case, so that the winning range of the jackpot determined random number that wins the jackpot at a relatively low set value is included in the winning range of the jackpot determined random number that wins the jackpot at a relatively high set value. The winning range of the jackpot determination random number that wins the jackpot should be set.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a winning symbol random number determination table. When a game ball enters the first starting port 120 or the second starting port 122, one winning symbol random number is obtained from within the range of 0-99. Then, when the determination result of "big hit" is derived by the big win lottery, the type of special symbol is determined by the acquired winning symbol random number and the winning symbol random number determination table. At this time, when a "jackpot" is won by the special 1 reservation, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the special 1 winning symbol random number determination table is selected, and when a "jackpot" is won by the special 2 reservation. As shown in FIG. 8(b), the winning symbol random number determination table for special 2 is selected. In the following, the special pattern determined by the winning pattern random number, that is, the special pattern determined when the judgment result of the big hit is obtained is called the jackpot pattern, and the special pattern determined when the judgment result of the loss is obtained. The pattern is called a lost pattern.

According to the winning symbol random number determination table for special 1 shown in FIG. 8(a) and the winning symbol random number determination table for special 2 shown in FIG. 8(b), according to the value of the acquired winning symbol random number, The type of special symbol (jackpot symbol) is determined. In addition, when the lottery result of the major role is "losing", when the lottery result is derived by special 1 reservation, the special symbol X is determined as the losing pattern without performing the lottery, and the lottery result is the special 2 When derived by holding, the special symbol Y is determined as a losing symbol without lottery. That is, the winning symbol random number determination table is referred to only when the big win lottery result is "big win", and is not referred to when the big win lottery result is "loss".

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a reach group determination random number determination table. A plurality of reach group determination random number determination tables are provided, and one table is selected according to the type of hold, the number of holds, and the fluctuation state set in association with the game state. When a game ball enters the first starting port 120 or the second starting port 122, one reach group determination random number is obtained from within the range of 0-10006. As described above, when the key role lottery result is derived, a process of determining a variable effect pattern for reporting the key role lottery result is performed. In this embodiment, when the major role lottery result is "losing", the group type is first determined by the reach group determination random number and the reach group determination random number determination table in determining the variable effect pattern.

For example, when the gaming state is set to a non-time-saving gaming state and the variation state is set to the normal 1 variation state, based on the special 1 hold, when the big role lottery result of "losing" is derived, If the special 1 reservation number (hereinafter simply referred to as "reservation number") when performing the big role lottery is 0, reach group determination random number determination table 1 is selected as shown in FIG. 9(a). Similarly, if the number of pending is 1, as shown in FIG. As shown, reach group determination random number determination table 3 is selected. In addition, in FIG. 9, the group x described in the group type column indicates an arbitrary group number. Therefore, various group numbers are determined as group types according to the reach group determination random number obtained and the type of the reach group determination random number determination table to be referred to.

Thus, in this embodiment, the table for determining the variable effect pattern is determined based on the variable state in addition to the set game state. In other words, the variable state defines which table is referred to for determining the variable effect pattern, and is a concept that is set separately from the game state.

It should be noted that, when the big role lottery result is "jackpot", the group type is not determined when determining the variation production pattern. That is, the reach group determination random number determination table is referred to only when the big win lottery result is "lost", and is not referred to when the big win lottery result is "big hit".

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a reach mode determination random number determination table. This reach mode determination random number determination table is the reach mode determination random number determination table at the time of losing selected when the big role lottery result is "losing", and the big win selected when the big role lottery result is "big hit" It is roughly divided into a time reach mode determination random number determination table. In addition, the reach mode determination random number determination table at the time of losing is provided for each group type determined as described above, and the reach mode determination random number determination table at the time of jackpot is provided for each reservation type. In addition, each ready-to-win mode decision random number determination table is provided for each game state and type of symbol. Here, FIG. 10A shows an example of the reach mode determination random number determination table for group x that is referred to in a predetermined game state and symbol type, and an example of the reach mode determination random number determination table for special 1 jackpot Shown in FIG. 10(b), an example of a reach mode determination random number determination table for jackpot for special 2 is shown in FIG. 10(c).

When a game ball enters the first starting port 120 or the second starting port 122, one reach mode determination random number is obtained from within the range of 0-250. Then, when the result of the big role lottery is "losing", as shown in FIG. A determination table is selected, and a variation mode number is determined based on the selected reach mode determination random number determination table at loss and the reach mode determination random number. Also, when the result of the big role lottery is "jackpot", as shown in FIGS. is selected, and the variation mode number is determined based on the selected reach mode determination random number determination table at the time of jackpot and the reach mode determination random number.

Further, in each reach mode determination random number determination table, the reach mode determination random number is associated with a variation mode number and a variation pattern random number determination table described later. A random number decision table is determined. In FIG. 8, the table x described in the column of fluctuation pattern random number determination table indicates an arbitrary table number. Therefore, the variation mode number and the table number of the variation pattern random number determination table are determined according to the acquired reach group determination random number and the type of the reach mode determination random number determination table to be referred to. Further, in the present embodiment, the variation mode number and the variation pattern number, which will be described later, are set in hexadecimal. In the following, when indicating a hexadecimal number, "H" is attached, but "○○H" in FIGS. .

As described above, when the winning lottery result is "lost", first, the group type is determined by the reach group determination random number determination table shown in FIG. 9 and the reach group determination random number. Then, according to the determined group type and gaming state, the variation mode number and the variation pattern random number determination table are determined by the reach mode determination random number determination table and the reach mode determination random number at the time of losing shown in FIG. 10(a).

On the other hand, if the big win lottery result is "jackpot", the determined jackpot pattern (type of special pattern), the game state at the time of jackpot winning, etc. are shown in FIGS. The variation mode number and the variation pattern random number determination table are determined by the reach mode determination random number determination table and the reach mode determination random number shown at the time of the jackpot.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a variation pattern random number determination table. Here, a fluctuation pattern random number determination table x of a predetermined table number x is shown, but many other fluctuation pattern random number determination tables are provided for each table number.

When a game ball enters the first starting port 120 or the second starting port 122, one variation pattern random number is obtained from within the range of 0-238. Then, based on the fluctuation pattern random number determination table determined at the same time as the fluctuation mode number and the obtained fluctuation pattern random number, the fluctuation pattern number is determined as shown in the figure.

Thus, when the big role lottery is performed, the variation mode number and the variation pattern number are determined according to the big role lottery result, the determined symbol type, the game state, the number of reservations, the type of reservation, and the like. These variable mode number and variable pattern number specify the variable effect pattern, and each of them is associated with the mode and time of the variable effect. Note that, hereinafter, the variation mode number and the variation pattern number may be collectively referred to as variation information.

FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining a variable time determination table. As described above, when the variable mode number is determined, variable time 1 is determined according to the variable time 1 determination table shown in FIG. 12(a). According to this variable time 1 determination table, variable time 1 is associated with each variable mode number, and the corresponding variable time 1 is determined according to the determined variable mode number.

Further, as described above, when the variation pattern number is determined, the variation time 2 is determined according to the variation time 2 determination table shown in FIG. 12(b). According to this variation time 2 determination table, variation time 2 is associated with each variation pattern number, and the corresponding variation time 2 is determined according to the determined variation pattern number. The total time of the variable times 1 and 2 determined in this way is the time of the variable effect for informing the result of the big role lottery, that is, the variable time.

When the variation mode number is determined as described above, a variation mode command corresponding to the determined variation mode number is transmitted to the sub control board 330, and when the variation pattern number is determined, the determined variation A variation pattern command corresponding to the pattern number is transmitted to the sub control board 330 . In the sub control board 330, mainly the first half of the variable performance is determined based on the received variable mode command, and the second half of the variable performance is mainly determined based on the received variable pattern command. becomes. Hereinafter, the variation mode command and the variation pattern command may be collectively referred to as variation commands, and the details thereof will be described later.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a special electric accessory actuation ramset table. This special electric accessory operating ram set table stores various data for controlling the big win game. The solenoid 128c is energized and controlled. In fact, a plurality of special electric role product operation ram set tables are provided for each type of jackpot symbol, and the corresponding table is set at the start of the big win game according to the determined jackpot symbol type. , Here, for convenience of explanation, one table shows the control data of all the jackpot symbols.

When the special symbols A to D, which are the jackpot symbols, are determined, the big winning game is executed with reference to the special electric role product operating ram set table, as shown in FIG. The big winning game is composed of a plurality of round games in which the big winning opening 128 is opened and closed a predetermined number of times. According to this special electric role product operation ram set table, the opening time (waiting time until the first round game is started), the maximum number of times of special electric role product operation (round game executed during one big role game number of times), the number of times of opening and closing the special electric accessory (the number of times the large winning opening 128 is opened during one round), the solenoid energization time (the energizing time of the large winning opening solenoid 128c for each number of times the large winning opening 128 is opened, that is, 1 opening time of the big winning mouth 128), specified number (maximum number of possible winnings to the big winning mouth 128 in one round game), effective closing time of the big winning mouth (closure time of the big winning mouth 128 between round games) That is, the interval time), the ending time (waiting time from the end of the last round game to the restart of the normal special game (fluctuation display of special symbols to be described later)) are the control data for the big role game. , are stored in advance as shown in the figure for each type of jackpot symbol.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, two round games are executed when the special symbols A and B are determined by the winning lottery, and when the special symbol C is determined. 8 round games are executed, and when the special symbol D is determined, 10 round games are executed. One round game ends when a specified number (eight in this example) of game balls enter the big winning hole 128 or when a preset opening time (29 seconds in this example) elapses. Also, in the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, a predetermined number (10 in this example) of prize balls are paid out for each game ball that enters the big winning hole 128 . Therefore, in one round game in this example, a maximum total of 80 (= 10 × prescribed number 8) prize balls are paid out, and in the maximum number (10 times in this example) round game, the maximum A total of 800 (=80×10 rounds) prize balls are paid out. In this way, the player can obtain prize balls according to the number of rounds executed in the big win game based on the big win.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a game state setting table for setting the game state after the end of the big win game. As shown in FIG. 14, when the special symbol A is determined, it is set to a low probability game state after the end of the big role game, and when the special symbols B to D are determined, the high probability is after the end of the big role game. A game state is set, and a high-probability game state is set to continue until the next big win is won. In this case, when the next big win is won, the game state is set again. Therefore, in the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the number of times the high-probability game state continues (hereinafter referred to as "high-probability number") varies depending on the number of times the winning lottery result is derived until the big win is won. In addition, the gaming machine 100 may set the number of times (for example, 100 times) to derive a predetermined big winning lottery result in one high-probability gaming state as the high-probability number. In this case, when the high-probability game state is set after the end of the big win game, if the lottery result of the big win is not derived in the high-probability game state and the result of the losing lottery is derived 10000 times, the probability is low. The game state is changed to the game state.

Further, when the special symbols B to D are determined as the jackpot symbols, the game state is set to the time-saving game state after the end of the big win game, and the time-saving game state continues until the next big win is won. is set to be In this case, when the next big win is won, the game state is set again. Therefore, the number of continuations of the time-saving gaming state (hereinafter referred to as "time-saving number of times") differs according to the number of derivation times of the big winning lottery results until winning the jackpot. In addition, the gaming machine 100 may set the number of derivation times (for example, 50 times) of a predetermined major role lottery result in one time saving game state as the number of time saving times. In this case, the time-saving number of times indicates the maximum number of continuations in one time-saving game state, and if a jackpot is won before the number of times of continuation is reached, the game state is set again. becomes. Also, when the special symbol A is determined as the jackpot symbol, it is set to the non-time-saving game state after the end of the big win game. Therefore, when the special symbol A is determined in the gaming machine 100 according to this embodiment, the gaming state becomes the normal gaming state similar to the initial state of the gaming machine 100 .

Thus, in the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the game state after the big win game is set according to the type of the jackpot symbol (hit type). In addition, the gaming machine 100 is provided with a plurality of types (in this example, four types) of jackpot symbol types (special symbols A to D) in which the number of round games in the big win game and the game state set after the big win game are different. It is That is, in the big win lottery in the gaming machine 100, one winning type is determined from a plurality of winning types with different game profits (the number of winning balls that the player can obtain, occurrence of advantageous gaming states, etc.). Henceforth, the hit type of the jackpot by the special pattern A is called "normal jackpot", and the hit type of the jackpot by the special patterns B to D is called "probability variable short time jackpot".

In addition, in the gaming machine 100, depending on the type of the jackpot pattern, the game state, the number of times of high probability, and the number of times of time reduction may be set. You may set the game state after the end of the big winning game, the number of times of high probability, and the number of times of time saving.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the hit determination random number determination table. When the game ball flowing down the game area 116 passes through the gate 124, a normal symbol determination process (hereinafter referred to as "normal figure lottery") is associated with whether or not the movable piece 122b of the second start port 122 is energized. ) is performed.

Although details will be described later, when the game ball passes through the gate 124, one hit determination random number is acquired from within the range of 0 to 99, and four random numbers are stored in the normal figure reservation storage area of the main RAM 300c. is stored as the upper limit. That is, the general pattern reservation storage area has four storage units for saving the hit determination random numbers. Therefore, when the game ball passes through the gate 124 in a state in which the hit determination random numbers are stored in all the four storage portions of the normal pattern holding storage area, the hit determination random numbers are stored based on the passage of the game ball. never. Below, the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the hit determination random number stored in the normal pattern reservation storage area is called normal pattern reservation.

When starting the normal drawing lottery in the non-time-saving gaming state, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the non-time-saving gaming state hit determination random number determination table is referenced. According to this non-time-saving gaming state hit determination random number determination table, when the hit determination random number is 0, the hit design is determined as the type of normal design, and when the hit determination random number is 1 to 99, A lost pattern is determined as the type of the normal pattern. Therefore, the probability that winning symbols are determined in the non-time-saving gaming state, that is, the winning probability is 1/100. Although details will be described later, when a winning pattern is determined in this normal drawing lottery, the movable piece 122b of the second starting port 122 is controlled to an open state, and when a losing pattern is determined, the second starting port 122 is maintained in the closed state.

Further, when starting the normal figure lottery in the time saving game state, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the time saving game state hit determination random number determination table is referred to. According to this time-saving gaming state hit determination random number determination table, when the hit determination random number is 0 to 98, the hit design is determined as the type of normal design, and when the hit determination random number is 99, normal A lost pattern is determined as the type of the pattern. Therefore, the probability that winning symbols are determined in the time-saving gaming state, that is, the winning probability is 99/100. In this way, during the non-time-saving game state, the probability of winning the normal drawing lottery is lower than during the time-saving game state (normal low-probability game state), and during the time-saving game state, the winning of the normal drawing lottery Probability becomes a high probability state (ordinary figure high probability game state) as compared with the non-time saving game state.

FIG. 16(a) is a diagram for explaining the normal symbol variation time data table, and FIG. 16(b) is a diagram for explaining an opening/closing control pattern table. As described above, when the general pattern lottery is performed, the fluctuation time of the normal pattern is determined. The normal symbol variation time data table is referred to when determining the normal symbol variation time when a winning symbol or a losing symbol is determined by a normal symbol lottery. According to this normal symbol fluctuation time data table, when the game state is set to the non-time-saving game state, the fluctuation time is determined to be 10 seconds, and when the game state is set to the time-saving game state, it fluctuates. Time is determined to be 1 second. When the variable time is determined in this way, the normal symbol display 168 is variable-displayed (blinking-displayed) over the determined time. Then, when a winning symbol is determined, the normal symbol display 168 is lit, and when a losing symbol is determined, the normal symbol display 168 is extinguished.

Then, when the winning pattern is determined by the normal drawing lottery and the normal pattern display 168 is lit, the movable piece 122b of the second starting port 122 is changed to the opening and closing control pattern as shown in FIG. 16(b). Power supply is controlled by referring to the table. Actually, the opening/closing control pattern table is provided for each game state, and according to the game state when the normal symbol is determined, the corresponding table is set at the start of energization of the normal electric accessory solenoid 122c. However, here, for convenience of explanation, one table shows control data corresponding to each game state.

When the winning pattern is determined, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the opening/closing control of the second start opening 122 is performed with reference to the opening/closing control pattern table. According to this opening/closing control pattern table, the normal electric opening pre-opening time (waiting time until the opening of the second start port 122 is started), the normal electric accessory maximum opening/closing switching frequency (the number of times the second start port 122 is opened) , Solenoid energization time (energization time of the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 122c for each opening of the second start port 122, that is, opening time of the second start port 122 once), specified number (all the second start ports 122 The maximum number of winnings to the second starting port 122 during opening), the normal power closing effective time (the closing time between each opening of the second starting port 122, that is, the rest time), the normal power valid state time (second starting The waiting time from the end of the last opening of the mouth 122), the normal electricity end wait time (after the normal electricity effective state time has elapsed, the waiting time until the fluctuation display of the normal pattern, which will be described later) is resumed, is the second start port 122 control data is stored in advance for each game state as shown.

Thus, in the non-time-saving game state and the time-saving game state, the opening/closing control conditions for opening and closing the second starting port 122 are respectively associated as game progress conditions, and in the time-saving game state, the non-time-saving A game ball enters the second starting port 122 more easily than in the game state. That is, in the time-saving game state, as long as the game ball passes through the gate 124, the normal drawing lottery is performed one after another, and the second start port 122 is frequently opened, so the player consumes the game ball. It is possible to perform a large role lottery while reducing the

The open/close condition of the second starting port 122 defines three elements: winning probability of normal symbols, variable display time of normal symbols, and opening time of the second starting port 122 . And, in the present embodiment, in two of the three elements, by setting the time-saving gaming state more advantageously than the non-time-saving gaming state, the time-saving gaming state is better than the non-time-saving gaming state , the second starting port 122 is set so that the game ball can easily enter. However, one or three of the above three elements may be set more advantageously in the time-saving gaming state than in the non-time-saving gaming state. In any case, the time-saving gaming state is advantageous for at least one element compared to the non-time-saving gaming state, so the overall time-saving gaming state is the second start port than the non-time-saving gaming state. A game ball should be made to easily enter 122 . That is, when the game state is set to the non-time-saving game state, the opening and closing of the movable piece 122b is controlled according to the first condition, and when the game state is set to the time-saving game state, from the first condition The opening and closing of the movable piece 122b may be controlled in accordance with the second condition that makes it easy to open the movable piece 122b.

Next, main processing of the main control board 300 accompanying the progress of a game in the gaming machine 100 will be described using a flowchart.

(CPU initialization processing of main control board 300)
17 and 18 are flowcharts for explaining the CPU initialization process (S100) in the main control board 300. FIG.

When power is supplied from the power board, a system reset occurs in the main CPU 300a, and the main CPU 300a performs the following CPU initialization processing (S100).

In the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the power-on state (hereinafter referred to as "power-on mode") is divided into four. The setting key switch 180s, the RAM clear detection switch 305s and the inner frame open switch are used to determine the four power-on modes.
An example of determination conditions for the four power-on modes is as follows.

When the power is turned on, the RAM clear detection switch 305s is in the off state (the operation of pressing the RAM clear button 305 is not detected) and the setting key switch 180s is in the off state (the change operation of the setting key is not detected), or the inner frame is opened. When the switch 145s is in the OFF state (opening of the inner frame 104 is not detected), it is determined that the normal return mode is selected. The normal return mode is a mode indicating that the power has been turned on with the intention of starting a normal game and maintaining the information backed up in the main RAM 300c before the power was turned off, with the exception of some.

If the RAM clear detection switch 305s is ON (detects the pressing operation of the RAM clear button 305) and either the setting key switch 180s or the inner frame open switch 145s is OFF when the power is turned on, the RAM clear recovery mode is established. judge. The RAM clear return mode is a mode indicating that the power is turned on with the intention of starting a normal game and initializing (clearing) the information backed up in the main RAM 300c before the power was turned off.

As described above, when the setting key switch 180s and the inner frame opening switch 145s are on and the RAM clear detection switch 305s is off when the power is turned on, it is determined that the mode is the setting confirmation mode. The setting confirmation mode is a mode indicating that the power has been turned on with the intention of confirming the setting values on the performance indicator 300d without starting a normal game.

Also, as described above, when the setting key switch 180s, the inner frame opening switch 145s and the RAM clear detection switch 305s are all in the ON state when the power is turned on, the setting change mode is determined. The setting change mode is a mode indicating that the power has been turned on with the intention of changing the setting value by pressing the RAM clear button 305 without starting a normal game.

Thus, four power-on modes can be divided by operating the setting key switch 180s, the RAM clear detection switch 305s, and the inner frame open switch when the power is turned on.

(Step S100-1)
When the power is turned on, the main CPU 300a reads the startup program from the main ROM 300b as initial setting processing, performs setting processing necessary for executing various processing, and shifts the processing to step S100-3. Also, when the power is turned on, input signals from the inner frame open switch 145s, the RAM clear detection switch 305s and the setting key switch 180s are read. In addition, in order to save the number of registers used as internal registers, the main CPU 300a receives a setting change key rotation signal (ON signal) when the inner frame 104 is in the closed state (the inner frame open switch 145s is in the OFF state). The setting key switch 180s is also read as the off state.

(Step S100-3)
The main CPU 300a sets a wait processing time (for example, 3.1 seconds) in the timer counter, and shifts the process to step S100-5.

(Step S100-5)
The main CPU 300a determines whether a power-off warning signal is detected. Note that the main control board 300 is provided with a power interruption detection circuit, and when the power supply voltage drops below a predetermined value, the power supply interruption warning signal is output from the power detection circuit. When the power-off notice signal is detected, the process is shifted to step S100-3, and the wait processing time is set again. Further, if the power-off warning signal is not detected, the process proceeds to step S100-7.

(Step S100-7)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the wait time set in step S100-3 has elapsed. As a result, when it is determined that the wait time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S100-9, and when it is determined that the wait time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S100-5.

(Step S100-9)
The main CPU 300a executes the necessary processing (for example, RAM protection release processing) to permit access (reading and writing) to the main RAM 300c, and shifts the processing to step S100-11.

(Step S100-11)
The main CPU 300a confirms the state of the gaming machine before the power was turned off, and shifts the process to step S100-13. The state of the game machine (game machine state) includes four types of states: a setting change state, a setting confirmation state, a playable state, and an abnormal state.
The setting change state is a state in which the power-on mode is the setting change mode and the setting values can be changed as described above.
In the change confirmation state, the power-on mode is the setting confirmation mode, and the setting values can be confirmed as described above.
The playable state is a state in which the power-on mode is the normal return mode or the RAM clear mode, and normal games such as shooting game balls and winning game balls are possible.
The abnormal state occurs when a predetermined problem occurs in the main RAM 300c, such as a backup abnormality, a read/write abnormality, or a state where the set value is outside a predetermined range (1 to 6 in this example) (set value abnormality). Indicates the state of Even if the power-on mode is any of the four modes (setting change mode, setting confirmation mode, normal return mode, or RAM clear mode), if a problem is detected in the main RAM 300c, the game machine state is abnormal. is set to
Gaming machine states other than the playable state (setting change state, setting confirmation state, abnormal state) correspond to states in which normal games cannot be executed (game stop state).

In the gaming machine 100 according to this embodiment, the gaming machine status is held as the value of the gaming machine status flag. The gaming machine state flag is stored in the first area (addresses F000H to F1FFH) in which the set value related information and the game state related information are stored in the area used in the main RAM 300c (see FIG. 5). The main CPU 300a loads the game machine state flag from the first area of the used area in the main RAM 300c into a predetermined internal register, and confirms the state of the game machine before the power was turned off.

(Step S100-13)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the backup flag is valid and the checksum is normal. Specifically, the main CPU 300a loads the value of the backup flag that was saved when the power was turned off from the second area in the used area of the main RAM 300c. It also executes the processing necessary to calculate the checksum. Further, the main CPU 300a determines whether the value of the loaded backup flag is a value ("A5H" in this example) indicating that the backup is valid, and stores the calculated checksum when the power is turned off. match the provided checksum. If the value of the backup flag is "A5H" and the checksums match, the main CPU 300a shifts the process to step S100-15. On the other hand, the main CPU 300a shifts the process to step S100-29 if the value of the backup flag is not "A5H" or if the checksums do not match.

(Step S100-15)
The main CPU 300a sets an address in an internal register indicating an area to be cleared in the main RAM 300c to be cleared when the power is restored (when maintaining the data before the power is turned off without clearing the main RAM 300c). The process moves to step S100-17. In this example, addresses corresponding to the second area and the third area shown in FIG. 5 are set in the used area of the main RAM 300c.

(Step S100-17)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the RAM clear detection switch 305s is on. When the main CPU 300a determines that an ON signal is input from the RAM clear detection switch 305s and that the RAM clear detection switch 305s is in the ON state (the RAM clear button 305 is pressed), the process proceeds to step S100-35 in FIG. transfer processing. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the ON signal is input from the RAM clear detection switch 305s and the RAM clear detection switch 305s is not in the ON state (the RAM clear button 305 is not pressed), the process proceeds to step S100-19. Transfer.

(Step S100-19)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the gaming machine state is a playable state or ON signals are input from the setting key switch 180s and the inner frame opening switch 145s. The main CPU 300a refers to the value of the gaming machine state flag loaded in step S100-10, and when it determines that the game is ready to play, shifts the process to step S100-21. In addition, even if the main CPU 300a determines that the gaming machine state is not the playable state, the main CPU 300a proceeds to step S100-21 in the same manner as it determines that the ON signal is input from the setting key switch 180s and the inner frame opening switch 145s. Transfer.
On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the gaming machine state is not a playable state and that the ON signal is not input from the setting key switch 180s and the inner frame opening switch 145s, the process proceeds to step S100-23. .

(Step S100-21)
The main CPU 300a sets the gaming machine state to the setting confirmation state. Specifically, the main CPU 300a sets the value of the gaming machine state flag to the value indicating the setting confirmation state, and shifts the process to step S100-23.

(Step S100-23)
The main CPU 300a performs an initialization process for clearing the data to be cleared when the power is restored, ie, the data in the address area of the main RAM 300c set in step S100-12, and shifts the process to step S100-25.

(Step S100-25)
The main CPU 300a performs transmission processing (stores the command in the transmission buffer) of a sub-command (power recovery designation command) for transmitting to the sub-control board 330 that the power has been recovered from the power-off.

(Step S100-27)
When the main CPU 300a performs transmission processing (stores the command in the transmission buffer) of a payout command (power recovery designation command) for transmitting to the payout control board 310 that the power has been restored from the power interruption, step S100-53 (FIG. 18) reference).

(Step S100-29)
The main CPU 300a stores data indicating that the checksum is in an abnormal state (backup abnormality) in a predetermined internal register (D register), and shifts the process to step S100-31.

(Step S100-31)
The main CPU 300a executes read/write check processing on the unused area of the main RAM 300c, and confirms the consistency of the write/read results. When the main RAM 300c stores the check result in the predetermined internal register, the process proceeds to step S100-33.

(Step S100-33)
The main CPU 300a sets the address indicating the area to be cleared in the main RAM 300c to be cleared when the RAM is abnormal in the internal register, and shifts the process to step S100-35. In this example, addresses corresponding to the used area and the unused area shown in FIG. 5 are set in the memory area of the main RAM 300c. In other words, when the backup is abnormal, data in all areas of the main RAM 300c are cleared.

(Step S100-35)
As shown in FIG. 18, the main CPU 300a executes a read/write check process on the used area of the main RAM 300c, stores the check result in a predetermined internal register, and shifts the process to step S100-37. Also, the main RAM 300c clears the data in the area of the address of the main RAM 300c set in step S100-15 or step S100-33.

(Step S100-37)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the result of the used area read/write check process in step S100-35 is normal. When the main CPU 300a determines that the result of the used area read/write check process is normal, the process proceeds to step S100-39. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the result of the used area read/write check process is not normal, the process proceeds to step S100-45.

(Step S100-39)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the setting confirmation state is set as the gaming machine state in the internal register. When the main CPU 300a determines that a value indicating the setting confirmation state is set in the internal register and that the gaming machine state is set to the setting confirmation state in the internal register, the process proceeds to step S100-41. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that a value indicating a state other than the setting confirmation state is set in the internal register and that the gaming machine state is set to a state other than the setting confirmation state in the internal register, the process proceeds to step S100-43. transfer processing.

(Step S100-41)
The main CPU 300a sets a value indicating a playable state as a value corresponding to the gaming machine state in the internal register, and shifts the process to step S100-43.

(Step S100-43)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the conditions for changing the setting are satisfied. Specifically, when the main CPU 300a determines that ON signals are input from the setting key switch 180s, the inner frame opening switch 145s, and the RAM clear detection switch 305s, it determines that the conditions for changing the setting are satisfied. Then, the process moves to step S100-47. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that an ON signal is not input from at least one of the setting key switch 180s, the inner frame opening switch 145s, and the RAM clear detection switch 305s, it determines that the conditions for changing the setting are not satisfied. After determination, the process proceeds to step S100-49.

(Step S100-45)
The main CPU 300a sets the value indicating the setting change state in the internal register as the value indicating the gaming machine state, and shifts the processing to step S100-49.
(Step S100-47)
The main CPU 300a sets a value indicating an abnormal state in which a RAM abnormality occurs (RAM abnormal state) in an internal register as a value indicating the game machine state, and shifts the process to step S100-49.

(Step S100-49)
The main CPU 300a saves the value corresponding to the gaming machine state set in the internal register in the gaming machine state flag stored in the first area of the usage area of the main RAM 300c, and shifts the process to step S100-51. .

(Step S100-51)
The main CPU 300a executes initialization processing when clearing the RAM. Here, when the RAM is cleared is when the power-on mode is the setting change mode or the RAM clear mode (YES in step S100-17), and when a backup abnormality occurs (NO in step S100-13 or step S100- 37 NO). In the initialization process when the RAM is cleared, the main CPU 300a transmits a subcommand (RAM clear designation command) for transmitting to the sub control board 330 that the main RAM 300c has been cleared (stores the command in the transmission buffer), and A payout command (RAM clear designation command) is transmitted (stored in the transmission buffer) to notify the payout control board 310 that the main RAM 300c is cleared, and the process proceeds to step S100-53.

(Step S100-53)
The main CPU 300a executes power-on subcommand set processing (stores commands in a transmission buffer) for transmitting various effect commands necessary for effect control in the initial state when power is turned on to the sub control board 330. In this process, for example, model designation command, power-on special phase designation command, firing position designation command, special figure 1 reservation designation command indicating special 1 reservation number (X1), special figure indicating special 2 reservation number (X2) 2 pending designation command, special figure 1 design confirmation designation command, special figure 2 design confirmation designation command, etc. are set in the transmission buffer. It should be noted that the main CPU 300a can also set different values for the effect command when the power is restored and when the RAM is cleared.
In this power-on subcommand set process, the main CPU 300a also stores a setting value designation command for transmitting the setting value currently being set to the sub control board 330 in the transmission buffer.
The main CPU 300a also executes processing for initializing the switch states of various input ports in this processing.

For example, when the power is restored, the main CPU 300a sets the value of each effect command based on the backup information held in the first area (see FIG. 5) of the main RAM 300c and sets it in the transmission buffer. By transmitting these effect commands to the sub-control board 330, the sub CPU 330a resumes the effect that was being executed at the time of the previous power shutdown (for example, the variable effect and the big win effect associated with the execution of the big win game). can be made The sub-RAM 330c of the sub-control board 330 is cleared when the power is turned off. Therefore, in an effect that is resumed based on the effect command at the time of power restoration, the display mode of the effect display unit 200a, the sound output mode of the audio output device 206, the lighting mode of the effect lighting device 204, and the like are different from when the power is turned off. may take different forms. Production control at the time of power return will be described later.
After the main CPU 300a executes the power-on subcommand set process, the process proceeds to step S400-55.

(Step S100-55)
The main CPU 300a sets the cycle of the timer interrupt (4 milliseconds in this example), and shifts the process to step S200.

(Step S200)
The main CPU 300a starts main loop processing. Details of the main loop processing will be described later.

Next, main loop processing in the main control board 300 will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining main loop processing. The gaming machine 100 repeatedly executes the main loop process in the main control board 300 while the power supply is maintained.

(Step S200-1)
The main CPU 300a performs processing for prohibiting interrupts.

(Step S200-3)
The main CPU 300a updates the initial value update random number for the winning symbol random number. The initial value update random number for the winning symbol random number is for determining the initial value and the end value of the winning symbol random number. In other words, when the winning design random number is updated from the winning design random number initial value update random number to the winning design random number initial value update random number -1, the winning design random number is at that time. It will be updated to the initial value update random number for the winning design random number.

(Step S200-5)
The main CPU 300a analyzes the received data (main command) received from the payout control board 310 and stored by serial communication reception interrupt processing, and executes various processes according to the received data. Although the serial communication reception interrupt process is an interrupt process for saving the main command, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Step S200-7)
The main CPU 300 a performs processing for transmitting to the sub-control board 330 untransmitted sub-commands stored in the transmission buffer.

(Step S200-9)
The main CPU 300a performs processing for permitting interrupts.

(Step S200-11)
The main CPU 300a updates the reach group determination random number, the reach mode determination random number, and the variation pattern random number, and thereafter repeats the processes from step S200-1 to step S200-11 in this order. In the following description, the reach group determination random number, the reach mode determination random number, and the variation pattern random number for determining the variable effect pattern are collectively referred to as variable effect random numbers.

Next, interrupt processing in the main control board 300 will be described. Here, save processing (XINT interrupt processing) and timer interrupt processing at power failure will be described.

(Evacuation processing (XINT interrupt processing) when main control board 300 is powered off)
FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining save processing (XINT interrupt processing) at power-off in main control board 300 . The main CPU 300a monitors the power failure detection circuit, and when the power supply voltage drops below a predetermined value, the main CPU 300a interrupts during the interrupt permission period of the main loop processing (between steps S200-1 and S200-11) to turn off the power. Executes the shutdown process.

(Step S300-1)
When the power-off warning signal is input, the main CPU 300a saves the register.

(Step S300-3)
The main CPU 300a checks the power-off notice signal.

(Step S300-5)
The main CPU 300a determines whether a power-off warning signal is detected. As a result, when it is determined that the power cut warning signal is detected, the process is moved to step S300-11, and when it is determined that the power cut warning signal is not detected, the process is moved to step S300-7. .

(Step S300-7)
The main CPU 300a restores the register and returns to the main loop processing.

(Step S300-9)
The main CPU 300a executes output port clear processing to stop output from the output port.

(Step S300-11)
The main CPU 300a executes a backup enable setting process of setting a value (“A5H”) indicating that the backup is enabled in the backup enable flag. The backup valid flag is stored in the second area of the used area (see FIG. 5) of the main RAM 300c.

(Step S300-13)
The main CPU 300a executes checksum setting processing for calculating and storing a checksum. In the checksum setting process, the main CPU 300a saves the checksums of all memory areas (used area and non-used area) allocated to the main RAM 300c in the second area of the used areas.

(Step S300-15)
The main CPU 300a executes RAM protection setting processing necessary to prohibit access to the main RAM 300c.

(Step S300-17)
The main CPU 300a executes a power interruption monitoring time setting process for setting a power interruption monitoring timer in order to set a power interruption monitoring time. The gaming machine 100 according to this embodiment measures a predetermined power interruption monitoring time (for example, 10 milliseconds) by a power interruption monitoring timer.

(Step S300-19)
The main CPU 300a checks the power-off warning signal.

(Step S300-21)
The main CPU 300a determines whether a power-off warning signal is detected. As a result, if it is determined that a power interruption warning signal has been detected, the process moves to step S300-17 to newly start timing of the power interruption occurrence monitoring time, and if a power interruption warning signal has not been detected. If so, the process moves to step S300-23.

(Step S300-23)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the power interruption monitoring time set in step S300-17 has elapsed. Specifically, the main CPU 300a subtracts 1 from the timer counter value of the power interruption monitoring timer, and determines whether the power interruption occurrence monitoring time has elapsed based on the value indicated by the timer counter after the subtraction. When the main CPU 300a determines that the power failure monitoring time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S300-3. As a result, since the power-off notice signal is not detected until the power-off occurrence monitoring time elapses (the notice signal is in the OFF state), the power-off saving process is terminated and the process returns to the main loop process (step S300). -5 from YES to step S300-7). On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the power failure monitoring time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S300-19.

It should be noted that, during a normal power-off, the power-off warning signal is repeatedly checked (by looping the processing of steps S300-17 to S300-21) to wait for a power-off due to a voltage drop.

(Timer interrupt processing of main control board 300)
FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining timer interrupt processing in the main control board 300. As shown in FIG. The main control board 300 is provided with a reset clock pulse generation circuit that generates a clock pulse every predetermined period (4 milliseconds in this embodiment, hereinafter referred to as "4 ms"). Then, when a clock pulse is generated by the reset clock pulse generation circuit, the CPU initialization process (step S100) is interrupted, and the following timer interrupt process is executed.

(Step S400-1)
The main CPU 300a saves the register.

(Step S400-3)
The main CPU 300a performs processing for permitting interrupts. The main CPU 300a initializes an interrupt flag when permitting an interrupt. The interrupt flag is a flag that is set (to a value of "1") at a predetermined timer interrupt period (4 ms in this example). The period during which the interrupt flag is set is the period during which the generation of timer interrupt is not permitted, and the timer interrupt is permitted by initializing the interrupt flag (setting the value to "0").

(Step S400-5)
The main CPU 300a outputs the common data set in the common output buffer to the output port, the first special symbol indicator 160, the second special symbol indicator 162, the first special symbol reserve indicator 164, the second special symbol reserve. A dynamic port output process for controlling the lighting of the indicator 166, the normal symbol indicator 168, the normal symbol reserve indicator 170, the right-handed information indicator 172, and the performance indicator 300d is executed.

(Step S400-7)
The main CPU 300a reads various types of input port information and executes port input processing for accurately acquiring the latest switch state. In the port input process, the main CPU 300a, for example, reads various switch signals input to the input port, converts the signals into positive logic, and stores the signals in the main RAM 300c. For various switch signals, an ON detection flag (flag indicating detection of switching from an OFF state to an ON state) is generated and stored based on the previous input value and the current input value. As a result, it is possible to accurately grasp the switch state based on changes from the previous time in various switch signals.

(Step S400-9)
The main CPU 300a loads the gaming machine status flag and sets the current gaming machine status in the internal register.

(Step S400-11)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the loaded gaming machine state is a playable state. When the main CPU 300a determines that the loaded gaming machine state is the playable state, the process proceeds to step S400-15. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the loaded gaming machine state is not a playable state, the process proceeds to step S400-13.

(Step S400-13)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the loaded gaming machine state is abnormal. When the main CPU 300a determines that the loaded gaming machine state is abnormal, the main CPU 300a shifts the process to step S400-29. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the loaded gaming machine state is not an abnormal state, the process proceeds to step S410.

(Step S410)
The main CPU 300a executes set value related processing and shifts the processing to step S400-29. The setting value related process is a process for confirming or changing the setting value, and the gaming machine state is neither a playable state nor an abnormal state (NO in step S400-11 and NO in step S400-13). That is, it is executed based on being in the setting change state or the setting confirmation state. The setting value related processing will be described later.

(Step S400-15)
The main CPU 300a performs timer update processing for updating various timer counters. Here, the various timer counters are decremented each time the timer interrupt processing of the main control board 300 is executed, and the decrementation is stopped when it reaches 0, unless otherwise specified.

(Step S400-17)
The main CPU 300a executes the process of updating the initial value update random number for the winning symbol random number in the same manner as in step S200-3.

(Step S400-19)
The main CPU 300a performs a process of updating the winning symbol random number. Specifically, the random number counter is updated by adding 1, and if the result of the addition exceeds the maximum value of the random number range, the random number counter is reset to 0. The random number is updated from the value of the initial value update random number for the winning design random number.

Although detailed description is omitted, in the present embodiment, hardware random numbers updated by a hardware random number generator built into the main control board 300 are used as the jackpot determined random numbers and the winning determined random numbers. The hardware random number generator updates both the jackpot determined random numbers and the winning determined random numbers according to a fixed rule, automatically changes the random number sequence each time the random number sequence completes a cycle, and resets the start value each time the system is reset. are changing.

(Step S500)
The main CPU 300a executes switch management processing for determining whether or not signals have been input from the first start opening detection switch 120s, the second start opening detection switch 122s, and the gate detection switch 124s. The details of this switch management processing will be described later.

(Step S600)
The main CPU 300a executes a special game management process for controlling the progress of the special game. The details of this special game management process will be described later.

(Step S700)
The main CPU 300a executes normal game management processing for controlling the progress of the normal game. The details of this normal game management process will be described later.

(Step S400-21)
The main CPU 300a executes error management processing for determining various errors and making settings according to the error determination results. In the error management process, for example, magnetism, radio waves, etc. are monitored, and subcommands are set when an abnormality occurs or when an abnormality is canceled.

(Step S400-23)
The main CPU 300a checks the general winning opening detection switch 118s, the first starting opening detection switch 120s, the second starting opening detection switch 122s, and the big winning opening detection switch 128s, and controls the prize balls corresponding to the detection switches of each winning opening. Winning hole switch processing for adding a counter for the game is executed.

(Step S400-25)
The main CPU 300a executes a payout control management process for creating and transmitting a payout command based on the counter value of the prize ball control counter set in step S400-23.

(Step S400-27)
The main CPU 300a executes shooting position designation management processing for determining the shooting position of the game ball based on the progress of the game (progress of the special game or normal game). In this process, the main CPU 300a determines the energization status of the large winning opening solenoid 128c and the normal electric accessory solenoid 122c, that is, the power supply status of the large winning opening 128 and the second starting opening 122, based on the special game management phase and the normal game management phase, which will be described later. The opening/closing state of the movable piece 122b is determined, and the firing position (right or left) is determined. Incidentally, this process may be executed in the special game management process.

(Step S400-29)
The main CPU 300a executes an external information management process for setting output data for external information to be output from the game information output terminal board 312 to the outside (for example, a hall computer installed in an amusement arcade). In the external information management process, the state of the gaming machine 100 is kept external by continuously outputting the external information even during the period in which the gaming machine is in the game stop state (one of the setting change state, the setting confirmation state, and the abnormal state). is executed.

(Step S400-31)
The main CPU 300a has a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, a first special symbol reservation display 164, a second special symbol reservation display 166, a normal symbol display 168, and a normal symbol reservation display 170. , LED display setting processing for setting common data for controlling the lighting of various indicators (LEDs) such as the right-handed information indicator 172 to the common output buffer. Further, for example, in the LED display setting process, the main CPU 300a loads the setting value data from the setting value buffer of the main RAM 300c, generates display data for displaying the setting value on the performance indicator 300d, and sets it in the common output buffer. do. As a result, it is possible to switch the display of the set values in the display areas 361 to 364 of the performance indicator 300d. The lighting control of the ball output rate (base) on the performance indicator 300d is performed in the performance display monitor control process of step S400-41, which will be described later.

(Step S400-33)
The main CPU 300a synthesizes the solenoid output images of the normal electric accessory solenoid 122c and the big winning opening solenoid 128c, and executes solenoid output image synthesizing processing for storing in the output port buffer.

(Step S400-35)
The main CPU 300a executes port output processing for outputting the common output buffer value stored in each output port buffer to the output port.

(Step S400-37)
The main CPU 300a performs processing (sets an interrupt flag) to prohibit interrupts.

(Step S400-39)
The main CPU 300a executes test signal output processing. In this process, the main CPU 300a generates various test signals representing the current internal state of the gaming machine 100 and outputs them through the port. With this test signal, the internal state of the main CPU 300a can be checked outside the main control board 300 when the game machine 100 is tested, for example.

(Step S400-41)
The main CPU 300a executes performance display monitor control processing. In this process, the main CPU 300a generates common data for displaying information on the payout rate (base) on the performance indicator 300d and sets the common data in the common output buffer. As a result, it is possible to switch the display of the base value in the display areas 361 to 364 of the performance indicator 300d. In the performance display monitor control process, the main CPU 300a may perform arithmetic processing related to the base value to be displayed on the performance display device 300d.

(Step S400-43)
The main CPU 300a restores the register and terminates the timer interrupt processing.

Below, among the above timer interrupt processes, the set value related process at step S410, the switch management process at step S500, the special game management process at step S600, and the normal game management process at step S700 will be described in detail.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining set value related processing in the main control board 300 .

(Step S410-1)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the gaming machine state loaded in step S400-9 of the timer interrupt process (see FIG. 21) is the setting change state. When the main CPU 300a determines that the gaming machine state is the setting change state, the process proceeds to step S410-3. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the gaming machine state is not the setting change state, that is, the setting confirmation state, the process proceeds to step S410-15.

(Step S410-3)
The main CPU 300a loads the setting value buffer from the first area (see FIG. 5) of the main RAM 300c and sets the setting value data corresponding to the current setting value in the internal register. The setting value data is six numerical data from "0" to "5", corresponding to six levels of setting values (setting 1 to setting 6) in this order. The gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment manages set values using set value data (numerical values “0” to “5”).

(Step S410-5)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the RAM clear button 305 has been pressed. Specifically, the main CPU 300a receives an input signal (ON signal) from the RAM clear detection switch 305s, and the ON detection flag of the RAM clear detection switch 305s is set (value "1" is set). If it is determined that the switching of the state of is detected, the ON detection flag is cleared (set to "0"), and the process proceeds to step S410-7. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the ON detection flag of the RAM clear detection switch 305s is cleared and the switching from the OFF state to the ON state is not detected, the process proceeds to step S410-9.

(Step S410-7)
The main CPU 300a updates the set value data set in the internal register to a value obtained by adding 1 to the current set value data. For example, if the setting value data loaded in step S410-3 is "3" (data indicating setting 4), main CPU 300a sets the setting value data of the internal register to "4" (data indicating setting 5) in this process. data).

(Step S410-9)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the set value data set in the internal register is less than the set comparison value. Here, the set comparison value is a numerical value ("6" in this example) that is one larger than the maximum value of the set value data (set value data "5" corresponding to set value 6). When the main CPU 300a determines that the set value data set in the internal register is less than the set comparison value, the process proceeds to step S410-13. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the set value data set in the internal register is equal to or greater than the set comparison value, the main CPU 300a shifts the process to step S410-11.

(Step S410-11)
The main CPU 300a sets the numerical value "0" in the internal register as set value data. As a result, it is possible to update the setting value data "5" corresponding to the maximum setting value 6 to the setting value data "0" corresponding to the minimum setting value 1, for example. In this way, the gaming machine 100 sequentially updates the set value to 1 to 6 (set value data “0” to “5”) each time the RAM clear button 305 is pressed, and after set value 6 The setting value can be updated like a loop process returning to setting value 1. If the set value data updated in step S410-7 is "6" (the same value as the set comparison value), the set value data may be updated as "0" in the same step. This eliminates the need for the processing of steps S410-9 and S410-11.

(Step S410-13)
The main CPU 300a saves the set value data set in the internal register in the set value buffer of the main RAM 300c. As a result, the set value data is held as a backup target.

(Step S410-15)
The main CPU 300a checks the ON detection flag (the ON detection flag of the setting key switch 180s) for determining whether or not the setting key in the setting key insertion port 306 is rotated or returned.

(Step S410-17)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not it is time for the setting key to return to the setting key slot 306 based on the presence or absence of an input signal (ON signal) from the setting key switch 180s and the ON detection flag. The main CPU 300a detects that the input signal from the setting key switch 180s is not input and the ON detection flag is set, and that the input signal from the setting key switch 180s is switched from the ON state to the OFF state (no input signal). If so, the ON detection flag is cleared (set to "0") and the process proceeds to step S410-19. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the in-CPU 300a has received an input signal from the setting key switch 180s, the ON detection flag has been cleared, and the ON state of the setting key switch 180s continues, step This processing ends without executing the processing after S410-19, and returns to the timer interrupt processing (see FIG. 21).

(Step S410-19)
The main CPU 300a sets a setting-related end designation command, which is a sub-command indicating to end the setting change state or setting confirmation state. The setting-related termination designation command can include, for example, information indicating that the setting change state and the setting confirmation state have ended and the setting value has been determined, and information regarding the setting value.

(Step S410-21)
The main CPU 300a executes subcommand group set processing. In the subcommand group set process, the setting change state and setting confirmation state other than the above-described setting-related end designation command are terminated, and various subcommands related to the execution control of the effect ( For example, model code specification command, launch position specification command, special figure 1 pattern confirmation specification command, special figure 1 reservation specification command, special figure 2 suspension specification command, special phase specification command at power on, setting value specification command, etc.) are sent set in the buffer.

(Step S410-23)
The main CPU 300a acquires the address of the RAM set table at the end of the setting relation from the main RAM 300c and sets it in the internal register.

(Step S410-25)
The main CPU 300a executes the ramset processing based on the ramset table at the end of setting-related operations.

(Step S410-27)
The main CPU 300a sets the gaming machine state flag of the main RAM 300c to a value indicating a game ready state, ends this process, and returns to the timer interrupt process. As a result, the state of the gaming machine is changed from the state at the start of this process (setting change state or setting confirmation state) to a playable state in which a normal game can be played.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining switch management processing (step S500) in the main control board 300. As shown in FIG.

(Step S500-1)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the gate detection switch ON is detected, that is, whether the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the detection signal from the gate detection switch 124s is turned ON. As a result, when it is determined that the gate detection switch-on is detected, the process proceeds to step S510, and when it is determined that the gate detection switch-on is not detected, the process proceeds to step S500-3.

(Step S510)
The main CPU 300 a executes gate passage processing based on passage of the game ball through the gate 124 . The details of this gate passage processing will be described later.

(Step S500-3)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the first start hole detection switch is turned on, that is, whether a game ball enters the first start hole 120 and a detection signal is input from the first start hole detection switch 120s. As a result, if it is determined that the first starting port detection switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S520, and if it is determined that the first starting port detection switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S500-5. to move.

(Step S520)
The main CPU 300 a executes the first starting opening passing process based on the entry of the game ball into the first starting opening 120 . The details of the first starting opening passage processing will be described later.

(Step S500-5)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the second starting hole detection switch is turned on, that is, whether a game ball enters the second starting hole 122 and a detection signal is input from the second starting hole detection switch 122s. As a result, when it is determined that the second starting port detection switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S530, and when it is determined that the second starting port detection switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S500-7. to move.

(Step S530)
The main CPU 300 a executes the second starting hole passing process based on the entry of the game ball into the second starting hole 122 . The details of the second starting opening passage processing will be described later.

(Step S500-7)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the large winning opening detection switch is turned on, ie, whether a game ball enters the large winning opening 128 and a detection signal is input from the large winning opening detection switch 128s. As a result, if it is determined that it is time to detect the large winning opening detection switch ON, the process is moved to step S500-9, and if it is determined that it is not time to detect the large winning opening detection switch ON, the switch management process ends. do.

(Step S500-9)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not a big win game is currently being played, and determines whether or not the game ball has been properly entered into the big winning opening 128. FIG. Here, when it is determined that it is not in the big win game, predetermined fraud detection processing is executed, and when it is determined that the big win game is in progress and the game ball is properly entered into the big win opening 128 adds 1 to the big winning opening winning ball counter and the big winning ball winning ball counter, and ends the switch management process (step S500).

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the gate passage processing (step S510) in the main control board 300. FIG.

(Step S510-1)
The main CPU 300a loads the winning determination random number updated by the hardware random number generator.

(Step S510-3)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the normal symbol reserved ball number counter is greater than or equal to the maximum value, that is, whether the counter value of the normal symbol reserved ball number counter is 4 or more. As a result, when it is determined that the counter value of the normal symbol reserved ball number counter is equal to or higher than the maximum value, the gate passing process is terminated, and when it is determined that the normal symbol reserved ball number counter is not equal to or higher than the maximum value. The process moves to step S510-5.

(Step S510-5)
The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the normal symbol reserved ball number counter to a value obtained by adding "1" to the current counter value.

(Step S510-7)
The main CPU 300a calculates a target storage unit for saving the acquired winning determination random number, among the four storage units of the normal-pattern reservation storage area.

(Step S510-9)
The main CPU 300a saves the winning determination random number obtained in step S510-1 in the target storage section calculated in step S510-7.

(Step S510-11)
The main CPU 300a sets a general pattern reservation specification command indicating the general pattern reservation number stored in the general pattern reservation storage area in the transmission buffer, and ends the gate passage processing.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart for explaining the first starting opening passing process (step S520) in the main control board 300. FIG.

(Step S520-1)
The main CPU 300a sets "00H" as the special symbol identification value. In addition, the special symbol identification value is for identifying whether the reservation type is special 1 reservation or special 2 reservation, special symbol identification value (00H) indicates special 1 reservation, special symbol identification value ( 01H) indicates special 2 reservation.

(Step S520-3)
The main CPU 300a sets the address of the special symbol 1 reserved ball number counter.

(Step S535)
The main CPU 300a executes the special symbol random number acquisition process, and ends the first starting opening passage process. It should be noted that this special symbol random number acquisition process is executed using a module common to the second start opening passage process (step S530). Therefore, the details of the special symbol random number acquisition process will be described after the description of the second start opening passage process.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart for explaining the second start opening passing process (step S530) in the main control board 300. FIG.

(Step S530-1)
The main CPU 300a sets "01H" as the special symbol identification value.

(Step S530-3)
The main CPU 300a sets the address of the special symbol 2 reserved ball number counter.

(Step S535)
The main CPU 300a executes special symbol random number acquisition processing, which will be described later.

(Step S530-5)
The main CPU 300a loads the normal game management phase. Although the details will be described later, the ordinary game management phase indicates the stage of execution processing of the ordinary game, that is, the state of progress of the ordinary game, and is updated according to the stage of execution processing of the ordinary game.

(Step S530-7)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the normal game management phase loaded in step S530-5 is "04H". Incidentally, "04H" in the normal game management phase indicates that the normal electric accessory winning opening control process is in progress. In this normal electric accessory winning opening control process, since the normal electric accessory solenoid 122c is energized and the movable piece 122b of the second start opening 122 is controlled to be open, here, the second start opening 122 is in a state in which it can be properly opened. As a result, when it is determined that the normal game management phase is not "04H", the second start opening passage processing is terminated, and when it is determined that the normal game management phase is "04H", step S530-9. to process.

(Step S530-9)
The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the normal electric accessory winning ball number counter to a value obtained by adding "1" to the current counter value, and ends the second start opening passage processing.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the special symbol random number acquisition process (step S535) in the main control board 300. FIG. This special symbol random number acquisition process is executed using a common module in the above-described first starting opening passing process (step S520) and second starting opening passing process (step S530).

(Step S535-1)
The main CPU 300a loads the special symbol identification value set in step S520-1 or step S530-1.

(Step S535-3)
The main CPU 300a loads the number of target special symbol reserved balls. Here, if the special symbol identification value loaded in step S535-1 is "00H", the counter value of the special symbol 1 reserved ball number counter, that is, the special 1 reserved number is loaded. Also, if the special symbol identification value loaded in step S535-1 is "01H", the counter value of the special symbol 2 reserved ball number counter, that is, the special 2 reserved number is loaded.

(Step S535-5)
The main CPU 300a loads the jackpot determination random number updated by the hardware random number generator.

(Step S535-7)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the number of target special symbol reserved balls loaded in step S535-3 is equal to or greater than the upper limit. As a result, if it is determined that it is equal to or higher than the upper limit, the process moves to step S535-23, and if it is determined that it is not equal to or greater than the upper limit, the process moves to step S535-9.

(Step S535-9)
The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the target special symbol reserved ball number counter to a value obtained by adding "1" to the current counter value.

(Step S535-11)
The main CPU 300a calculates a target storage section for saving the acquired jackpot decision random number among the storage sections of the special figure reservation storage area.

(Step S535-13)
The main CPU 300a loads the jackpot determination random number loaded in step S535-5, the winning pattern random number updated in step S400-13, the reach group determination random number updated in step S200-11, the reach mode determination random number, and the variation pattern. A random number is obtained and stored in the target storage unit calculated in step S535-11.

(Step S535-15)
The main CPU 300a performs a special symbol reserved ball winning order setting process for updating and storing the winning order of special 1 reservation and special 2 reservation stored in the special symbol reservation storage area.

(Step S536)
The main CPU 300a executes the effect determination process at the time of acquisition based on various random numbers stored in the target storage unit in step S535-13. The details of this effect determination process at the time of acquisition will be described later.

(Step S535-17)
The main CPU 300a loads the counter values of the special symbol 1 reserved ball number counter and the special symbol 2 reserved ball number counter.

(Step S535-19)
The main CPU 300a sets the special figure reserve specification command in the transmission buffer based on the counter value loaded in step S535-17. Here, based on the counter value of the special symbol 1 reserved ball number counter (special 1 reserved number), the special figure 1 reserved designation command is set, and based on the counter value of the special symbol 2 reserved ball number counter (special 2 reserved number) to set the special figure 2 hold designation command. As a result, the number of special 1 reservations and the number of special 2 reservations are transmitted to the sub control board 330 each time special 1 reservations or special 2 reservations are stored.

(Step S535-21)
The main CPU 300a sets a special symbol winning order command corresponding to the winning order of special 1 reservation and special 2 reservation stored in step S535-15 in the transmission buffer.

(Step S535-23)
The main CPU 300a loads the normal game management phase.

(Step S535-25)
The main CPU 300a confirms the normal game management phase loaded in step S535-23, and is below the normal electric accessory winning opening control state (normal game management phase <
04H). As a result, if it is determined that it is less than the normal electric accessory winning opening control state, the process is moved to step S535-27, and if it is determined that it is not less than the normal electric accessory winning opening control state, the special End the pattern random number acquisition process.

(Step S535-27)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not there has been an abnormal winning at each starting opening, and when it is determined that there has been an abnormal winning, executes a starting opening abnormal winning error process to perform a predetermined process, and obtains the special symbol random number. The process (step S535) ends.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart for explaining the effect determination process at acquisition (step S536) in the main control board 300. As shown in FIG.

(Step S536-1)
The main CPU 300a loads a special symbol probability state flag that identifies whether the state is a high-probability game state or a low-probability game state, and determines whether the state is a low-probability game state based on the loaded special symbol probability state flag. do. As a result, if it is determined to be in the low probability game state, the process proceeds to step S536-3, and if it is determined not to be in the low probability game state, the effect determination process at the time of acquisition ends.

(Step S536-3)
The main CPU 300a selects one of the corresponding jackpot determination random number determination tables (see FIGS. 6(a) to 6(f)) based on the set value being set. Then, the main CPU 300a performs a special symbol win provisional determination process for provisionally determining either a jackpot or a loss based on the selected table and the jackpot decision random number stored in the target storage unit in step S535-13.

(Step S536-5)
The main CPU 300a executes a special symbol temporary determination process for temporarily determining a special symbol. Here, if the result of the provisional key role lottery in step S536-3 (the result derived by the special symbol per temporary determination process) is a big hit, the winning symbol stored in the target storage unit in step S535-13 A random number and a reserved type are loaded, a corresponding winning pattern random number determination table (see FIG. 5) is selected to extract special design determination data, and the extracted special design determination data (big winning design type) is saved. In addition, when the result of the provisional key role lottery in step S536-3 is a loss, the special symbol determination data for loss (type of the losing symbol) corresponding to the reserved type is saved.

(Step S536-7)
The main CPU 300a sets a look-ahead symbol type specification command (a look-ahead specification command) corresponding to the special symbol determination data saved in step S536-5 in the transmission buffer.

(Step S536-9)
As will be described later in detail, the main CPU 300a performs random number identification that indicates in which random number identification range of a plurality of random number identification ranges the jackpot determination random number stored in the target storage unit in step S535-13 is included. Determine the range command.

(Step S536-11)
The main CPU 300a sets the random number identification range specification command (prefetch specification command) determined in step S536-9 in the transmission buffer.

(Step S536-13)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the result derived by the special symbol winning provisional determination process in step S536-3 is a big win. As a result, if it is determined to be a big win, the process moves to step S536-15, and if it is determined to be not a big win (lost), the process moves to step S536-17.

(Step S536-15)
The main CPU 300a sets the reach mode determination random number determination table for jackpot for special 1 (see FIG. 10(b)) or the reach mode determination random number determination table for jackpot for special 2 (see FIG. 10(c)) based on the reservation type. Then, the process moves to step S536-25.

(Step S536-17)
The main CPU 300a loads the reach group determination random number stored in the target storage unit in step S535-13.

(Step S536-19)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the reach group determination random number loaded in step S536-17 is a fixed value (8500 or more). Here, the group type is determined by referring to the reach group determination random number determination table, and this reach group determination random number determination table is selected according to the stored number of reservations. At this time, the reach group determination random number is obtained from the range of 0 to 10006, and if the value of the reach group determination random number is 8500 or more, the same reach group determination random number determination table is selected regardless of the number of reservations, and the reach If the value of the group determination random number is less than 8500, different reach group determination random number determination tables are selected according to the number of reservations. In the following, among the reach group determination random numbers, the value in the range of 0 to 8499 in which different reach group determination random number determination tables are selected according to the number of reservations is set to an indefinite value, and the same reach group determination random number determination is performed regardless of the number of reservations. A value in the range of 8500 to 10006 from which the table is selected is called a fixed value. If it is determined that the reach group determination random number loaded in step S536-17 is a fixed value (8500 or more), the process moves to step S536-21, and the reach group determination random number loaded in step S536-17 is fixed. If it is determined not to be the value (8500 or more), the process moves to step S536-33.

(Step S536-21)
The main CPU 300a sets a corresponding reach group determination random number determination table (see FIG. 9) based on the counter value of the probability state identification counter and the pending type. Although a plurality of reach group determination random number determination tables are provided according to the number of reservations, here, the table used when the number of reservations is 0 is selected. Then, the reach group (group type) is tentatively determined based on the set reach group determination random number determination table and the reach group determination random number stored in the target storage unit in step S535-13.

(Step S536-23)
The main CPU 300a sets the losing reach mode determination random number determination table (see FIG. 10A) corresponding to the group type tentatively determined in step S536-21, and shifts the process to step S536-21.

(Step S536-25)
The main CPU 300a determines the variable mode number based on the reach mode determination random number determination table set in step S536-15 or step S536-23 and the reach mode determination random number stored in the target storage unit in step S535-13. provisionally determined. Further, here, along with the variation mode number, a variation pattern random number determination table is tentatively determined.

(Step S536-27)
The main CPU 300a sets, in the transmission buffer, a prefetch designation variation mode command (prefetch designation command) corresponding to the variation mode number provisionally determined in step S536-25.

(Step S536-29)
The main CPU 300a temporarily determines the variation pattern number based on the variation pattern random number determination table provisionally determined in step S536-25 and the variation pattern random number stored in the target storage unit in step S535-13.

(Step S536-31)
The main CPU 300a sets the look-ahead specified variation pattern command (pre-read specification command) corresponding to the variation pattern number tentatively determined in step S536-29 in the transmission buffer, and terminates the effect determination process at the time of acquisition.

(Step S536-33)
The main CPU 300a, regarding the suspension newly stored in the target storage unit, according to the number of suspensions when the suspension is read out, changes the group type, that is, the variable effect pattern (undefined value command (prefetch Specified variation mode command and look-ahead specified variation pattern command = 7FH) is set in the transmission buffer, and the effect determination process at the time of acquisition is terminated.

As described above, according to the acquisition-time effect determination process, when the stored hold is a hold that wins a jackpot, and the stored hold is a hold that results in a loss, and the reach group is determined. When the random number is a fixed value, a prefetching designation variation mode command and a prefetching designation variation pattern command are transmitted to the sub control board 330 as the prefetching designation command. On the other hand, when the stored suspension is a failure suspension and the reach group determination random number is an undefined value, an undefined value command is transmitted to the sub control board 330 as a prefetch designation command.

FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining the special game management phase. As already explained, in this embodiment, the special game triggered by the entry of the game ball to the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, and the normal game triggered by the passage of the game ball to the gate 124 are proceeding in parallel. The special game-related processing is executed step by step and repeatedly, and the main control board 300 manages each of these special game-related processing in a special game management phase.

As shown in FIG. 29, the main ROM 300b stores a plurality of special game control modules for controlling the execution of a special game, and each special game control module is associated with a special game management phase. . Specifically, when the special game management phase is "00H", a module for executing the "special symbol variation waiting process" is called, and when the special game management phase is "01H", A module for executing a "special symbol fluctuating process" is called, and when the special game management phase is "02H", a module for executing a "special symbol stop symbol display process" is called and a special symbol is displayed. When the game management phase is "03H", a module for executing "pre-processing for opening the big winning gate" is called. A module for executing "control processing" is called, and when the special game management phase is "05H", a module for executing "big winning opening closing effective processing" is called, and the special game management phase is executed. If it is "06H", a module for executing "big winning opening end wait process" is called.

FIG. 30 is a flow chart for explaining the special game management process (step S600) in the main control board 300. As shown in FIG.

(Step S600-1)
The main CPU 300a loads the special game management phase.

(Step S600-3)
The main CPU 300a selects the special game control module corresponding to the special game management phase loaded in step S600-1.

(Step S600-5)
The main CPU 300a calls the special game control module selected in step S600-3 and starts processing.

(Step S600-7)
The main CPU 300a loads a special game timer that manages the special game control time, and terminates the special game management process.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart for explaining special symbol variation waiting processing in the main control board 300 . This special symbol variation waiting process is executed when the special game management phase is "00H".

(Step S610-1)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the special symbol 2 reserved ball number counter, that is, the number of special 2 reserved balls (X2) is "1" or more. As a result, if it is determined that the number of special 2 reservations (X2) is "1" or more, the process is moved to step S610-7, and if it is determined that the number of special 2 reservations (X2) is not "1" or more to step S610-3.

(Step S610-3)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the special symbol 1 reserved ball number counter, that is, the number of special 1 reserved balls (X1) is "1" or more. As a result, if it is determined that the number of special 1 reservations (X1) is "1" or more, the process is moved to step S610-7, and if it is determined that the number of special 1 reservations (X1) is not "1" or more to step S610-5.

(Step S610-5)
The main CPU 300a sets a customer waiting command in the transmission buffer, executes customer waiting setting processing for setting the customer waiting state, and ends the special symbol variation waiting processing.

(Step S610-7)
The main CPU 300a stores the special 2 reserve stored in the first to fourth storage units of the second special figure reservation storage area, or the first to fourth storage units of the first special figure reservation storage area. The stored special 1 pending is block-transferred to a storage unit with a lower ordinal by one. Specifically, in the above step S610-1, if it is determined that the number of special symbol 2 reserved balls is "1" or more, the second storage unit to the fourth storage unit of the second special symbol reservation storage area The stored Special 2 hold is transferred to the first to third storage units. Further, the main RAM 300c is provided with a 0th storage unit to be processed, and the special 2 hold stored in the 1st storage unit is block-transferred to the 0th storage unit. Also, in the above step S610-3, when it is determined that the number of special symbol 1 reserved balls is "1" or more, it is stored in the second storage unit to the fourth storage unit of the first special symbol reservation storage area The special 1 hold stored in the first storage unit is transferred to the first to third storage units, and the special 1 hold stored in the first storage unit is block-transferred to the 0th storage unit. In addition, in this special symbol storage area shift process, "1" is subtracted from the counter value of the target special symbol retention ball number counter corresponding to the retention type transferred to the 0th storage unit, and special 1 suspension or special 2 suspension sets a pending decrement designation command in the transmission buffer, indicating that the has decremented by "1".

(Step S610-9)
The main CPU 300a loads the jackpot decision random number transferred to the 0th storage unit, the type of reservation, and the special symbol probability state flag that identifies whether the game state is a high-probability game state or a low-probability game state, and loads the corresponding jackpot decision random number. A determination table is selected to perform a large winning lottery, and a special symbol win determination process for storing the lottery result is executed.

(Step S610-11)
The main CPU 300a executes special symbol determination processing for determining special symbols. Here, when the big winning lottery result of step S610-9 is a big hit, the winning symbol random number and the pending type transferred to the 0th storage unit are loaded, and the corresponding winning symbol random number determination table is selected. The special symbol determination data is extracted, and the extracted special symbol determination data (type of jackpot symbol) is saved. In addition, when the result of the big winning lottery in step S610-9 is a loss, the special symbol determination data for loss (type of losing symbol) corresponding to the reserved type is saved. After saving the special symbol determination data in this manner, the symbol type designation command corresponding to the special symbol determination data is set in the transmission buffer.

(Step S610-13)
The main CPU 300a saves the special symbol stop symbol number corresponding to the special symbol determination data extracted in step S610-11. In addition, the first special symbol display 160 and the second special symbol display 162 are each composed of 7 segments, and each segment constituting the 7 segments is associated with a number (counter value). The special symbol stop symbol number determined here indicates the number (counter value) of the segment that is finally lit.

(Step S611)
The main CPU 300a executes a special symbol variation number determination process for determining a variation mode number and a variation pattern number. The details of this special symbol variation number determination process will be described later.

(Step S610-15)
The main CPU 300a loads the variation mode number and variation pattern number determined in step S611, and determines variation time 1 and variation time 2 with reference to the variation time determination table. Then, the total time of the determined variable times 1 and 2 is set in the special symbol variable timer.

(Step S610-17)
The main CPU 300a determines whether or not the big win lottery result in step S610-9 is a big win. Check the type of pattern. Then, referring to the game state setting table, the game state to be set after the end of the big win game is determined, and the determination result is saved in the special symbol probability state preliminary flag. Also, here, the game state set at the time of winning the jackpot is stored.

(Step S610-19)
The main CPU 300a executes a process of setting a special symbol display symbol counter in the first special symbol display device 160 or the second special symbol display device 162 in order to start variable display of special symbols. A counter value is associated with each segment of the 7 segments that constitute the first special symbol display device 160 and the second special symbol display device 162, and the segment corresponding to the counter value set in the special symbol display symbol counter is Lighting is controlled. Here, the counter value corresponding to the segment to be lit at the start of the variable display of the special symbols is set in the special symbol display symbol counter. As for the special symbol display symbol counter, a special symbol 1 display symbol counter corresponding to the first special symbol display device 160 and a special symbol 2 display symbol counter corresponding to the second special symbol display device 162 are separately provided. Here, the counter value is set to the counter corresponding to the hold type.

(Step S610-21)
The main CPU 300a loads the counter values of the special symbol 1 reserved ball number counter and the special symbol 2 reserved ball number counter, and sets a special symbol reserved designation command in the transmission buffer. Here, based on the counter value of the special symbol 1 reserved ball number counter (special 1 reserved number), the special figure 1 reserved designation command is set, and based on the counter value of the special symbol 2 reserved ball number counter (special 2 reserved number) to set the special figure 2 hold designation command. Also, here, a special symbol winning prize order command corresponding to the winning order of special 1 reservation and special 2 reservation stored in step S610-7 is set in the transmission buffer. As a result, the number of special 1 reservations and the number of special 2 reservations and the winning order of these reservations are transmitted to the sub control board 330 each time the special 1 reservation or the special 2 reservation is completed.

(Step S610-23)
The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "01H" and terminates the special symbol variation waiting process.

FIG. 32 is a flow chart for explaining special symbol variation number determination processing in the main control board 300 .

(Step S612-1)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the result of the big win lottery in step S610-9 is a big win. As a result, when it is determined to be a big win, the process moves to step S612-3, and when it is determined to be not a big win (losing), the process moves to step S612-5.

(Step S612-3)
The main CPU 300a sets a jackpot ready-to-win mode determination random number determination table corresponding to the current variation state, jackpot symbol type, and reservation type.

(Step S612-5)
The main CPU 300a confirms the counter value of the special symbol 2 reserved ball number counter when the read reservation type is Special 2 reservation, and when the read reservation type is Special 1 reservation, Check the counter value of the special symbol 1 reserved ball number counter.

(Step S612-7)
The main CPU 300a sets the corresponding reach group determination random number determination table based on the current fluctuation state, the number of holds confirmed in step S612-5, and the type of hold. Then, the reach group (group type) is determined based on the set reach group determination random number determination table and the reach group determination random number transferred to the 0th storage unit in step S610-7.

(Step S612-9)
The main CPU 300a sets the reach mode determination random number determination table at the time of losing corresponding to the group type determined in step S612-7.

(Step S612-11)
The main CPU 300a determines the variable mode based on the reach mode determination random number determination table set in step S612-3 or step S612-9 and the reach mode determination random number transferred to the 0th storage unit in step S610-7. Decide on a number. Also, here, along with the variation mode number, a variation pattern random number determination table is determined.

(Step S612-13)
The main CPU 300a sets the variable mode command corresponding to the variable mode number determined in step S612-11 in the transmission buffer.

(Step S612-15)
The main CPU 300a determines the variation pattern number based on the variation pattern random number determination table determined in step S612-11 and the variation pattern random number transferred to the 0th storage unit in step S610-7.

(Step S612-17)
The main CPU 300a sets the variation pattern command corresponding to the variation pattern number determined in step S612-15 in the transmission buffer, and terminates the special symbol variation number determination process.

FIG. 33 is a flow chart for explaining the processing during special symbol variation in the main control board 300 . This special symbol changing process is executed when the special game management phase is "01H".

(Step S620-1)
The main CPU 300a executes processing for updating the special symbol variation base counter. In addition, the counter value of the special symbol variation base counter is set so as to make one round at a predetermined period (for example, 100 ms). Specifically, when the counter value of the special symbol variation base counter is "0", a predetermined counter value (for example, 25) is set, and when the counter value is "1" or more, Update the counter value to the value obtained by subtracting "1" from the current counter value.

(Step S620-3)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the special symbol variation base counter updated in step S620-1 is "0". As a result, if the counter value is "0", the process proceeds to step S620-5, and if the counter value is not "0", the process proceeds to step S620-9.

(Step S620-5)
The main CPU 300a performs a special symbol variation timer update process of subtracting a predetermined value from the timer value of the special symbol variation timer set in step S610-15.

(Step S620-7)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special symbol variation timer updated in step S620-5 is "0". As a result, if the timer value is "0", the process proceeds to step S620-15, and if the timer value is not "0", the process proceeds to step S620-9.

(Step S620-9)
The main CPU 300a updates the special symbol display timer that counts the lighting time of each segment of the 7 segments that constitute the first special symbol display 160 and the second special symbol display 162. FIG. Specifically, when the timer value of the special symbol display timer is "0", a predetermined timer value is set, and when the timer value is "1" or more, from the current timer value Update the timer value to the value decremented by "1".

(Step S620-11)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special symbol display timer is "0". As a result, when it is determined that the timer value of the special symbol display timer is "0", the processing is shifted to step S620-13, and when it is determined that the timer value of the special symbol display timer is not "0", the End the process during special symbol fluctuation.

(Step S620-13)
The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the special symbol display symbol counter to be updated. As a result, the segments that make up the 7 segments are sequentially lit at predetermined time intervals.

(Step S620-15)
The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "02H".

(Step S620-17)
The main CPU 300a saves the special symbol stop symbol number (counter value) determined in step S610-13 in the target special symbol display symbol counter. As a result, the determined special symbol is stop-displayed on the first special symbol display 160 or the second special symbol display 162 .

(Step S620-19)
The main CPU 300a sets a special symbol stop designation command indicating that the special symbols are stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display device 160 or the second special symbol display device 162 in the transmission buffer.

(Step S620-21)
The main CPU 300a sets the special symbol variation stop time, which is the time during which the special symbols are stopped and displayed, in the special game timer, and terminates the special symbol variation process.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart for explaining the special symbol stop symbol display process in the main control board 300. FIG. This special symbol stop symbol display process is executed when the special game management phase is "02H".

(Step S630-1)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special game timer set in step S620-21 is not "0". As a result, when it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is not "0", the special symbol stop symbol display process is terminated, and when it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is "0". The process moves to step S630-3.

(Step S630-3)
The main CPU 300a confirms the result of the big role lottery.

(Step S630-5)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the result of the big win lottery is a big win. As a result, when it is determined that it is a big hit, the process moves to step S630-17, and when it is determined that it is not a big win, the process moves to step S630-9.

(Step S630-9)
The main CPU 300a executes a change state update process for updating the change state.

(Step S630-11)
The main CPU 300a sets, in the transmission buffer, a game state confirmation designation command at the time of special symbol determination, which indicates the game state when the special symbol is determined.

(Step S630-15)
The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "00H" and terminates the special symbol stop symbol display process. As a result, the special game management processing based on the 1 reserve is finished, and when the special 1 reserve or the special 2 reserve is stored, the processing for starting the variable display of the special symbols based on the next reserve is performed. will be

(Step S630-17)
The main CPU 300a sets the data of the special electric accessary product operating ram set table according to the determined special symbol type.

(Step S630-19)
The main CPU 300a performs a special electric accessary product maximum operating frequency setting process. Specifically, referring to the data set in the above step S630-17, a predetermined number (counter value corresponding to the type of special symbol = number of rounds) is set as a counter value in the special electric accessory maximum operation counter. . It should be noted that this special electric accessory maximum operation number counter indicates the number of rounds that can be executed in the big winning game to be started from now on. On the other hand, the main RAM 300c is provided with a special electric accessory continuous operation number counter, and at the start of each round game, by adding "1" to the counter value of the special electric accessory continuous operation number counter, the current The number of round games is managed. Here, a process of resetting (updating to "0") the counter value of the special electric role product continuous operation number counter is executed together with the start of the big winning game.

(Step S630-21)
The main CPU 300a refers to the data set in step S630-17 and saves a predetermined opening time as a timer value in the special game timer.

(Step S630-23)
The main CPU 300a sets an opening designation command for transmitting the start of the big win game to the sub control board 330 in the transmission buffer.

(Step S630-25)
The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "03H" and terminates the special symbol stop symbol display process. As a result, the big role game is started.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart for explaining the big winning opening pre-opening process in the main control board 300 . This big winning hole pre-opening process is executed when the special game management phase is "03H".

(Step S640-1)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special game timer set in step S630-21 is not "0". As a result, when it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is not "0", the processing before opening the big winning opening is terminated, and when it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is "0". The process moves to step S640-3.

(Step S640-3)
The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the special electric accessory continuous operation number counter to a value obtained by adding "1" to the current counter value.

(Step S640-5)
The main CPU 300a sets, in the transmission buffer, a large winning opening designation command for transmitting the start of opening the large winning opening 128 (the start of the round game) to the sub control board 330. FIG.

(Step S641)
The main CPU 300a executes the big winning opening opening/closing switching process. This special winning opening opening/closing switching process will be described later.

(Step S640-7)
The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "04H" and terminates the pre-opening processing for the big winning opening.

FIG. 36 is a flow chart for explaining the big winning opening open/close switching process in the main control board 300 .

(Step S641-1)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the special electric role product opening/closing switching frequency counter is the upper limit value of the special electric role product opening/closing switching frequency (the number of opening/closing times of the big winning opening 128 during one round game). As a result, when it is determined that the counter value is the upper limit value, the big winning opening opening/closing switching process is terminated, and when it is determined that the counter value is not the upper limit value, the process is shifted to step S641-3.

(Step S641-3)
The main CPU 300a refers to the data of the special electric role product operating ramset table, and based on the counter value of the special electric role product open/close switching counter, the solenoid control data for energizing and controlling the big winning opening solenoid 128c, and Timer data which is the energization time or the energization stop time of the big winning opening solenoid 128c is extracted.

(Step S641-5)
Based on the solenoid control data extracted in step S641-3, the main CPU 300a starts energizing the large winning opening solenoid 128c, or energizes the large winning opening solenoid to stop energizing the large winning opening solenoid 128c. Execute control processing. By executing this big winning opening solenoid energization control process, in steps S400-25 and S400-27, the start or stop of energization of the big winning opening solenoid 128c is controlled.

(Step S641-7)
The main CPU 300a saves the timer value based on the timer data extracted in step S641-3 in the special game timer. It should be noted that the timer value saved in the special game timer here is the maximum opening time of the big winning opening 128 once.

(Step S641-9)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the energization of the large winning opening solenoid 128c is started, that is, whether the control processing for starting the energization of the large winning opening solenoid 128c has been performed in step S641-5. As a result, when it is determined that it is in the energization start state, the process is moved to step S641-11, and when it is determined that it is not in the energization start state, the special winning opening opening/closing switching process is ended.

(Step S641-11)
The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the special electric accessory opening/closing switching frequency counter to a value obtained by adding "1" to the current counter value, and ends the big winning opening opening/closing switching process.

FIG. 37 is a flow chart for explaining the big winning opening opening control process in the main control board 300 . This big winning hole opening control process is executed when the special game management phase is "04H".

(Step S650-1)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special game timer saved in step S641-7 is not "0". As a result, when it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is not "0", the process is moved to step S650-5, and when it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is "0", step S650. -3 is processed.

(Step S650-3)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the special electric accessory opening/closing switching frequency counter is the upper limit value of the special electric accessory opening/closing switching frequency. As a result, when it is determined that the counter value is the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S650-7, and when it is determined that the counter value is not the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S641.

(Step S641)
In the above step S650-3, when it is determined that the counter value of the special electric role product opening/closing switching frequency counter is not the upper limit value of the special electric role product opening/closing switching frequency, the main CPU 300a executes the processing of step S641. do.

(Step S650-5)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the grand prize winning ball number counter updated in step S500-9 has reached the prescribed number, that is, the main CPU 300a checks whether the grand prize winning port 128 has the maximum number of possible wins in one round. It is determined whether or not the same number of game balls have entered. As a result, when it is determined that the specified number has not been reached, the special winning opening opening control processing is terminated, and when it is determined that the specified number has been reached, the special winning opening winning ball number counter is returned to 0. (Initialize) The process moves to step S650-7.

(Step S650-7)
The main CPU 300a stops energizing the large winning opening solenoid 128c and executes a large winning opening closing process necessary to close the large winning opening 128. FIG. As a result, the big winning opening 128 is closed.

(Step S650-9)
The main CPU 300a saves the valid time (interval time) for closing the big winning opening in the special game timer.

(Step S650-11)
The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "05H".

(Step S650-13)
The main CPU 300a sets, in the transmission buffer, a large winning opening closing designation command indicating that the large winning opening 128 has been closed, and ends the special winning opening opening control process.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining the big winning opening closing effective process in the main control board 300. FIG. This big winning opening closing valid process is executed when the special game management phase is "05H".

(Step S660-1)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special game timer saved in step S650-9 is not "0". As a result, when it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is not "0", the big winning opening closing effective processing is terminated, and when it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is "0", step The process moves to S660-3.

(Step S660-3)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the special electric role product continuous operation frequency counter matches the counter value of the special electric role product maximum operation frequency counter, that is, whether the preset number of round games has ended. . As a result, if it is determined that the counter value of the special electric accessory continuous operation number counter matches the counter value of the special electric accessory maximum operation number counter, the process is moved to step S660-9, and if it is determined that they do not match to step S660-5.

(Step S660-5)
The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "03H".

(Step S660-7)
The main CPU 300a saves a predetermined large winning opening closing time in the special game timer, and ends the special winning opening closing effective process. As a result, the next round game is started.

(Step S660-9)
The main CPU 300a executes an ending time setting process for saving the ending time in the special game timer.

(Step S660-11)
The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "06H".

(Step S660-13)
The main CPU 300a sets an ending designation command indicating the start of the ending in the transmission buffer, and terminates the special winning opening closing enable process.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart for explaining the big winning opening end wait process in the main control board 300 . This big winning opening end wait process is executed when the special game management phase is "06H".

(Step S670-1)
The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special game timer saved in step S660-9 is not "0". As a result, when it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is not "0", the big winning opening end wait process is terminated, and when it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is "0". The process moves to step S670-3.

(Step S670-3)
The main CPU 300a executes state setting processing for setting the game state after the end of the big win game. Here, the game state after the end of the big win game is set based on the big winning pattern that triggered the execution of the big win game. Specifically, the main CPU 300a sets the high-probability game state and the time-saving game state (special symbol probability state flag and normal symbol Set "1" to the time saving state flag). The special symbol probability state flag identifies whether the game state is a low probability game state ("0") or a high probability game state ("1") depending on the set value ("0" or "1"). is a flag for In addition, the normal pattern time saving state flag determines whether the game state is a non-time saving game state (“0”) or a time saving game state (“1”) depending on the set value (“0” or “1”) This is a flag for identification. The special symbol probability state flag and the normal symbol time saving state flag are stored, for example, in a predetermined storage area of the main RAM 300c. In addition, when the jackpot pattern that triggered the execution of the big game is the special pattern A, it is set to the low probability game state and the non-time saving game state (the special pattern probability state flag is set to "0" and the normal pattern time saving state flag to '0').

(Step S670-5)
The main CPU 300a sets a post-big win game state change designation command for transmitting a game state to be set after the big win game ends in the transmission buffer.

(Step S670-7)
The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "00H" and ends the big winning opening end wait process. As a result, when special 1 suspension or special 2 suspension is stored, the variable display of the special symbols is resumed.

(Normal game)
As already described, in the present embodiment, the processing related to the normal game triggered by the passage of the game ball to the gate 124 is stepwise and repeatedly executed. is managed by the normal game management phase.

The main ROM 300b stores a plurality of normal game control modules for controlling execution of a normal game, and each normal game control module is associated with a normal game management phase. Specifically, when the normal game management phase is "00H", a module for executing the "normal symbol variation waiting process" is called, and when the normal game management phase is "01H", A module for executing a "normal symbol fluctuating process" is called, and when the normal game management phase is "02H", a module for executing a "normal symbol stop symbol display process" is called and normal When the game management phase is "03H", a module for executing "ordinary electric accessory winning opening preprocessing" is called, and when the normal game management phase is "04H", "normal When the module for executing the "Electric Accessory Item Winning Portion Open Control Process" is called and the normal game management phase is "05H", the module for executing the "Normal Electric Accessory Item Winning Portion Closing Effective Processing" is called, and when the normal game management phase is "06H", a module for executing "normal electric accessory winning opening end wait process" is called.

Here, each processing of the normal game control module will be described. In this embodiment, in the normal game management process in the main control board 300, the main CPU 300a loads the normal game management phase and selects the normal game control module corresponding to the loaded normal game management phase.

In the normal game management process in the main control board 300, the main CPU 300a loads "00H" as the normal game management phase, selects the normal symbol variation waiting process as the normal game control module, and the normal pattern hold is "0". determine whether When the main CPU 300a determines that the normal pattern suspension is "0", it ends the normal symbol variation waiting process. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the normal pattern reserve is not "0", the normal pattern that performs the normal pattern lottery for the normal pattern reserve (hit determination random number) stored in the first storage unit of the normal pattern reserve storage area. Win determination processing, setting processing of the normal design stop design number indicating whether or not the normal design indicator 168 is finally lit corresponding to the result of the normal design lottery, determination of the normal design variation time for determining the normal design variation time. Processing, setting processing of normal design display pattern counter for starting variable display of normal design, normal design designation command based on design type (hit design or losing design) determined by normal design hit determination process to transmission buffer Executes setting processing, etc. Further, the main CPU 300a updates the normal game management phase to "01H", and terminates the normal symbol variation waiting process.

In the normal pattern game management process in the main control board 300, the main CPU 300a loads "01H" as the normal game management phase, selects normal symbol fluctuation processing as the normal game control module, and the timer value of the normal game timer is set to " 0”. When the main CPU 300a determines that the timer value of the normal game timer is not "0", the counter value of the normal symbol display symbol counter (normal symbol display 168 is turned off) is used to repeat lighting and extinguishing of the normal symbol display 168. Or a counter value indicating lighting) is executed, and the normal symbol variation waiting process is terminated. By alternately updating and setting the counter value indicating turning off and the counter value indicating lighting of the normal symbol display symbol counter, the normal symbol display 168 repeats lighting and extinguishing at predetermined time intervals over the normal symbol fluctuation time. (flashing).

On the other hand, when determining that the timer value of the normal game timer is "0", the main CPU 300a sets the normal symbol stop symbol number (counter value) determined in the normal symbol display waiting process to the normal symbol display symbol counter. Save. As a result, the result of the normal drawing lottery will be notified. In addition, the main CPU 300a performs processing for setting a normal symbol fluctuation stop time, which is the time during which the normal symbols are stopped and displayed, and setting processing for a transmission buffer for a normal symbol stop designation command indicating that the normal symbol stop display has started. Execute, furthermore, the normal game management phase is updated to "02H", and the process during normal symbol fluctuation is ended.

In the normal game management process in the main control board 300, the main CPU 300a loads "02H" as the normal game management phase, selects the normal symbol stop symbol display process as the normal game control module, and the timer value of the normal game timer is Determine whether it is not "0". When determining that the timer value of the normal game timer is not "0", the main CPU 300a terminates the normal symbol stop symbol display process.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the timer value of the normal game timer is "0" and determines that the result of the normal drawing lottery is not winning (losing), the normal game management phase is set to "00H". After updating, the normal symbol stop symbol display process is ended. In addition, when the main CPU 300a determines that the timer value of the normal game timer is "0", and determines that the result of the general drawing lottery is a hit, the normal game timer saves the time before opening the general electric power as the timer value of the normal game timer. At the same time, the normal game management phase is updated to "03H", and the normal symbol stop symbol display process is terminated. As a result, the opening/closing control of the second starting port 122 is started.

In the normal game management process in the main control board 300, the main CPU 300a loads "03H" as the normal game management phase, selects the normal electric accessory winning opening pre-opening process as the normal game control module, and starts the normal game timer. Determine whether the timer value is "0". When determining that the timer value of the normal game timer is not "0", the main CPU 300a ends the normal electric accessory winning opening pre-opening process.

On the other hand, when determining that the timer value of the normal game timer is "0", the main CPU 300a executes normal electric accessory winning opening opening/closing switching processing. In the normal electric accessory winning opening opening/closing switching process, the main CPU 300a determines that the counter value of the normal electric accessory opening/closing switching frequency counter is equal to the normal electric accessory opening/closing switching frequency (the second start opening 122 can be moved during one opening/closing control). The number of times of opening and closing of piece 122a) is determined to be the upper limit value, the normal electric accessory winning opening opening and closing switching process is terminated. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the counter value of the normal electric accessory opening/closing switching frequency counter is not the upper limit value of the normal electric accessory opening/closing switching frequency, the normal electric accessory solenoid 122c for starting or stopping the energization of the normal electric accessory solenoid 122c. Execute the electric accessory solenoid energization control process. By executing this normal electric accessory solenoid energization control process, the control of energization start or energization stop of the normal electric accessory solenoid 122c is performed.

The main CPU 300a saves the timer value, which is the maximum opening time for one time of the second starting port 122, in the normal game timer based on the counter value of the normal electric accessary product open/close switching frequency counter. When the main CPU 300a determines that the energization start control process of the normal electric accessory solenoid 122c has been executed in the above-described normal electric accessory solenoid energization control process, the counter value of the normal electric accessory opening/closing switching frequency counter is changed to the current counter value. is updated to a value obtained by adding "1" to the normal electric accessary prize opening opening/closing switching process. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the energization start control process of the normal electric role product solenoid 122c is not executed, the normal electric role product winning opening opening/closing operation is performed without updating the counter value of the normal electric role product opening/closing switching frequency counter. End the switching process.

The main CPU 300a terminates the normal electric accessory winning opening/closing switching process, updates the normal game management phase to "04H", and terminates the normal electric accessory winning opening pre-opening process.

In the normal game management process in the main control board 300, the main CPU 300a loads "04H" as the normal game management phase, selects the normal electric role product winning opening control process as the normal game control module, and performs the normal electric role product. It is determined whether or not the timer value of the normal game timer saved in the winning opening/closing switching process is "0". When determining that the timer value of the normal game timer is "0", the main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the normal electric accessory open/close switching frequency counter is the upper limit value of the normal electric accessory open/close switching frequency. When the main CPU 300a determines that the counter value of the normal electric accessory opening/closing switching frequency counter is the upper limit value, the main CPU 300a executes the normal electric accessory closing process described later. When the main CPU 300a determines that the counter value is not the upper limit value, the main CPU 300a executes the normal electric accessory winning/closing switching process.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the timer value of the normal game timer saved in the normal electric role winning opening/closing switching process is not "0", the normal electric role winning prize updated in the above-described second start port passing process It is determined whether or not the counter value of the ball number counter has reached a specified number and the same number of game balls as the maximum number of possible wins during one opening/closing control have entered the second start port 122 . When the main CPU 300a determines that the number of winning balls has not reached the specified number, the main CPU 300a ends the normal electric accessory winning opening control process. On the other hand, when the main CPU 300a determines that the number of balls entered has reached the specified number, the main CPU 300a stops energizing the normal electric accessory solenoid 122c in order to close the second starting port 122 and The object closing process is executed, the normal electric valid state time is saved in the normal game timer, the normal game management phase is updated to "05H", and the normal electric accessory winning opening control process is terminated.

In the normal game management process in the main control board 300, the main CPU 300a loads "05H" as the normal game management phase, selects the normal electric accessory winning opening closing effective process as the normal game control module, and selects the above-mentioned normal electric It is determined whether or not the timer value of the normal game timer saved in the accessory winning opening opening control process is not "0". When determining that the timer value of the normal game timer is not "0", the main CPU 300a ends the normal electric accessory winning opening closing valid process.

On the other hand, when determining that the timer value of the normal game timer is "0", the main CPU 300a saves the normal electric end wait time in the normal game timer, updates the normal game management phase to "06H", Accessory prize winning opening closing valid processing is terminated.

In the normal game management process in the main control board 300, the main CPU 300a loads "06H" as the normal game management phase, selects the normal electric accessory winning opening end wait process as the normal game control module, and selects the above-mentioned normal electric It is determined whether or not the timer value of the normal game timer saved in the accessory winning opening closing valid process is "0". When determining that the timer value of the normal game timer is not "0", the main CPU 300a ends the normal electric accessory winning opening end wait process.

On the other hand, when determining that the timer value of the normal game timer is "0", the main CPU 300a updates the normal game management phase to "00H" and terminates the normal electric accessory winning opening end wait process. As a result, when normal pattern suspension is stored, the variable display of normal patterns is resumed.

As described above, the special game and the normal game progress by executing various processes in the main control board 300. During the progress of such a game, commands transmitted from the main control board 300 Based on, in the sub-control board 330, control for executing various effects is performed.

(Explanation of production design)
FIG. 40 is a diagram explaining the production patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c. As described above, the main control board 300 determines the variation mode number and the variation pattern number, and transmits a variation command to the sub control board 330 when the major winning lottery is performed. The sub control board 330 determines the execution pattern of the variable performance based on the received variable command, and controls the execution of the variable performance with the determined execution pattern.

Although there are many execution patterns of the variable effect, any of the effect patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c is displayed after the three symbol configuration groups 210A, 210B, and 210C are variably displayed on the effect display section 200a. They are common in that the effect display section 200a is stop-displayed, and the result of the major role lottery is informed by the final stop display mode of the effect patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c in the effect display section 200a.

As shown in FIG. 36(a), the symbol configuration group 210A is composed of 9 types of performance symbols 210a marked with numbers 1-9. Although illustration is omitted here, each of the performance symbols 210a includes characters and the like as well as numbers, so that the player can easily identify each of the performance symbols 210a constituting the symbol configuration group 210A. there is The symbol configuration groups 210B and 210C are also composed of nine types of performance symbols 210b and 210c, respectively, like the symbol configuration group 210A. For convenience of explanation, the symbol configuration group 210A is composed of nine types of performance symbols 210a, the symbol configuration group 210B is composed of nine types of performance symbols 210b, and the symbol configuration group 210C is composed of nine types of performance symbols 210c. The symbol configuration groups 210A, 210B, and 210C are all composed of 9 types of effect symbols in the same display mode.

In the variable effect, after the pattern configuration groups 210A, 210B, and 210C are simultaneously scroll-displayed from the top to the bottom in the effect display section 200a, one of the effect patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c is finally displayed in the effect display. Either one of the effect symbols 210a, 210b, and 210c is stopped and displayed in the effect display portion 200a without being scroll-displayed.

Then, when a big win is won by the big win lottery, as shown in FIG. 36(b), special symbols A to D are determined as the big win symbols. When a big win is won, that is, in the variable effect of notifying the winning of a big win, finally, the same effect patterns 210a, 210b, 210c are stop-displayed on a straight line in the effect display section 200a.

However, when the special pattern A is determined, the production patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c with even numbers of "2", "4", "6", and "8" (hereinafter simply referred to as "even number patterns ) is stopped and displayed. On the other hand, when special symbols B to D are determined, in addition to the above even-numbered symbols, odd numbers of “1”, “3”, “5”, “7”, and “9” are marked. Effect symbols 210a, 210b, and 210c (hereinafter simply referred to as "odd symbols") are also stop-displayed.

In addition, when the result of the big role lottery is a loss, that is, when a losing pattern is determined, all the same production patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c are finally stop-displayed in the production display section 200a. never.

(Example of effect determination table)
Next, a method of determining the aspect of the variable effect executed in the effect display section 200a will be described. FIG. 41(a) is a diagram for explaining the first half variable effect determination table, and FIG. 41(b) is a diagram for explaining the second half variable effect determination table. In this embodiment, the aspect of the first half of the variation effect (hereinafter referred to as "first half variation effect") is determined based on the variation mode number (variation mode command), and the second half variation is based on the variation pattern number (variation pattern command). A mode of production (hereinafter referred to as “second half variable production”) is determined. Specifically, in the variable effect of the reach variation pattern, the aspect of the variable effect (image pattern displayed on the effect display unit 200a) until a predetermined moving image (reach development effect) is reproduced and displayed is the variable mode number. (variation mode command), and the image pattern of the moving image (reach development effect) is determined based on the variation pattern number (variation pattern command). Therefore, for example, in the variable effect of the reach variation pattern described later, the aspect of the variable effect (for example, the image pattern) from the start of the variable display of the effect pattern to the reach effect is determined based on the variation mode number (variation mode command). , and the form (for example, animation) of the variable production of the reach development production is determined based on the fluctuation pattern number (variation pattern command).

The non-reach pattern variation performance is executed when a variation mode number (variation mode command) indicating that the first half variation performance is not executed and a predetermined variation pattern number (variation pattern command) are determined. For example, when receiving a variation mode command corresponding to a variation mode number of "00H" indicating that the first half variation performance is not executed, the sub control board 330 always determines "none" as the mode of the first half variation performance. Also, based on the variation pattern command received at the same time, the aspect of the variation performance from the start to the end is determined. Therefore, the aspect (image pattern) of the variation effect of the no-reach pattern is determined based on the variation pattern number (variation pattern command).

As shown in FIG. 41(a), the sub-ROM 330b of the sub-control board 330 contains a first half variation effect determination table in which each variable mode command (variation mode number) that can be received is associated with a first half variation effect mode. is stored. This first half variation performance determination table is provided for each performance mode, and when the sub-control board 330 receives a variation mode command, it acquires a performance random number of 1 from the range of 0 to 249, and is currently set. A first half variable performance determination table corresponding to the performance mode is set. Then, based on the obtained production random number and the variation mode command (variation mode number), the aspect of the first half variation production is determined.

In addition, in FIG. 41 (a), the number written in each selection area associated with the variation mode number and the aspect of the first half variation effect is the range of random numbers assigned to the selection area, that is, the selection area shows the selection ratio of For example, when a variation mode command corresponding to variation mode number = 00H is received, "none" is always determined as the aspect of the first half variation effect, and a variation mode command corresponding to variation mode number = 01H is received. In this case, as the mode of the first half variable performance, the variable performance of "Reach A" is always determined, and when the variable mode command corresponding to the variable mode number = 02H is received, the first half variable performance is always performed. , “Reach B” is determined.

Here, "none" in the mode of the first half variation production indicates that the first half variation production is not executed, and when this "none" is determined, it is determined based on the variation pattern command described later. Only the second half variation production is executed. In addition, in FIG. 41(a), "Reach A" and "Reach B" in the form of the first half fluctuation production are respectively until the production patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c become the reach form among the fluctuation production of the reach fluctuation pattern. 2 shows an image pattern displayed on the effect display section 200a. These image patterns are designed in advance so as to coincide with the variable display time of the special symbols associated with the variable mode number.

Therefore, in the effect display section 200a, when the variable effect of the no-reach pattern is executed, the variable mode command corresponding to the variable mode number=00H is always received. In other words, when the variable mode command corresponding to the variable mode number=00H is received, the variable effect of the non-reach pattern is always executed in the effect display section 200a. On the other hand, in the effect display unit 200a, when the variation effect of the reach variation pattern is executed, the variation mode command corresponding to the variation mode number other than the variation mode number = 00H is always received. Become. In other words, when a variation mode command other than the variation mode command corresponding to the variation mode number=00H is received, the variation effect of the ready-to-win variation pattern is always executed in the effect display section 200a.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 41(b), the sub ROM 330b of the sub control board 330 stores the second half variation effect in which the form of the second half variation effect is associated with each of the variation pattern commands (variation pattern numbers) that can be received. A decision table is stored. This second half variation performance determination table is provided for each performance mode, and when the sub-control board 330 receives the variation pattern command, it acquires a performance random number of 1 from the range of 0 to 249, and the currently set performance random number. A second half variable performance determination table corresponding to the performance mode is set. Then, based on the acquired effect random number and the variation pattern command (variation pattern number), the form of the second half variation effect is determined.

In addition, in FIG. 41(b), the numbers written in each selection area associated with the variation pattern number and the aspect of the second half variation effect are assigned to the selection area in the same manner as in FIG. 41(a). It shows the range of random numbers, that is, the selection ratio of the selected area. For example, when a variation pattern command corresponding to the variation pattern number = 00H is received, as a form of the second half variation performance, the variation performance of "failure 4 seconds" is always executed, and the variation corresponding to the variation pattern number = 01H. When the pattern command is received, as a form of the second half variation performance, the variation performance of "8 seconds of loss" is always executed, and when the variation pattern command corresponding to the variation pattern number = 02H is received, the second half variation. As a form of production, the variable production of "12 seconds of loss" is always executed.

In addition, the aspect of the variable production of "4 seconds to lose", "8 seconds to lose", and "12 seconds to lose" is that the production patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c do not enter the ready-to-win mode after the start of the variable display. Stop display is performed in a manner to notify failure at 4 seconds, 8 seconds, and 12 seconds, respectively. Therefore, when the variation pattern numbers of "00H", "01H", and "02H" are determined in the main control board 300, " 00H" variation mode number (variation mode command) is determined.

Further, in the main control board 300, for example, when the variation pattern number=04H is determined, either "Pattern 1" or "Pattern 2" is determined as the aspect of the second half variation effect. "Pattern 1" and "Pattern 2" indicate, for example, the types of moving images in the reach development effect, and although the images displayed on the effect display unit 200a are different, the configuration time corresponds to the variation pattern number = 04H. Matches the time on the attached variable display.

As described above, in the sub control board 330, the first half variable effect determination table and the second half variable effect determination table are selected according to the set effect mode, and based on the selected table, the effect display unit 200a The mode of the variable production to be displayed is determined.

Processing in the sub-control board 330 for executing the above effects will be described below.

(Sub CPU initialization processing of sub control board 330)
FIG. 42 is a flow chart for explaining the sub-CPU initialization process (S1000) of the sub-control board 330. As shown in FIG.

(Step S1000-1)
When the power is turned on, the sub CPU 330a reads a CPU initialization processing program from the sub ROM 330b and initializes and sets flags stored in the sub RAM 330c. Therefore, when the gaming machine 100 is turned on after the power has been cut off due to, for example, a power failure, the information such as the mode of various effects that were being executed at the time of the power cut is cleared. Therefore, the sub CPU 330a newly determines an effect mode based on various effect commands related to the effect control in the initial state transmitted from the main control board 300. FIG.

(Step S1000-3)
Next, the sub CPU 330a performs processing for updating each effect random number, and thereafter repeatedly performs the processing of step S1000-3 until interrupt processing is performed. A plurality of types of effect random numbers are provided, and here, each effect random number is asynchronously updated.

(Sub-timer interrupt processing of sub-control board 330)
FIG. 43 is a flowchart for explaining the sub-timer interrupt processing (S1100) of the sub-control board 330. As shown in FIG. The sub-control board 330 is provided with a reset clock pulse generation circuit (not shown) that generates a clock pulse at a predetermined cycle. When the reset clock pulse generating circuit generates a clock pulse, the sub CPU 330a reads the timer interrupt processing program and starts the sub timer interrupt processing.

(Step S1100-1)
The sub CPU 330a saves the register.

(Step S1100-3)
The sub CPU 330a performs processing for permitting interrupts.

(Step S1100-5)
The sub CPU 330 a updates various timer counters used in the sub control board 330 . Here, the various timer counters are decremented by 1 each time the sub-timer interrupt processing of the sub-control board 330 is executed, and the decrementation is stopped when it reaches 0, unless otherwise specified.

(Step S1200)
The sub CPU 330a analyzes the commands stored in the reception buffer of the sub RAM 330c and performs various processes according to the received commands. In the sub control board 330, when a command is transmitted from the main control board 300, command reception interrupt processing is performed, and the command transmitted from the main control board 300 is stored in the reception buffer. Here, the command stored in the reception buffer is analyzed by command reception interrupt processing.

(Step S1300)
The sub CPU 330a executes a jackpot effect determination process that is executed in conjunction with the execution of the big win game and determines the mode of the jackpot effect for informing the player of the winning of the jackpot. The jackpot effect is executed using effect devices such as the effect display unit 200a, the effect accessory device 202, the effect lighting device 204 and the sound output device 206. The details of the big hit effect determination process will be described later.

(Step S1400)
The sub CPU 330a executes a variable effect return process. The variable production return process is a process for determining the mode of the variable production when the power supply is cut off during the variable production (state in which the power is cut off). The details of the jackpot effect return processing will be described later.

(Step S1500)
The sub CPU 330a executes a jackpot effect return process. The jackpot effect recovery process is a process for determining the mode of the jackpot effect when the power is turned off during the jackpot effect. The details of the jackpot effect return processing will be described later.

(Step S1600)
The sub CPU 330a measures the elapsed time of the variable effect executed in the gaming machine 100, refers to the time table set for each variable effect, and executes the process corresponding to the time stored in the time table. Performs time schedule management processing. The details of this time schedule management process will be described later.

(Step S1100-9)
The sub CPU 330 a transmits the command set in the transmission buffer of the sub RAM 330 c to the designated controller among the image controller 340 , the audio controller 350 , the illumination controller 360 and the movable body controller 370 .

(Step S1100-11)
The sub CPU 330a restores the register and terminates the sub timer interrupt process.

FIG. 44 is a flow chart for explaining the variable command reception process executed when a variable command is received, of the command analysis process. As described above, the variable command is set in the transmission buffer in steps S612-13 and S612-17 of FIG. It is sent to substrate 330 .

(Step S1210-1)
Upon receiving the variation command, the sub CPU 330a first analyzes the received variation pattern command and stores the variation pattern number included in the variation pattern command.

(Step S1210-3)
The sub CPU 330a acquires the effect random number (0 to 249) updated in step S1000-3, and based on the acquired effect random number and the variation pattern number, the second half variable effect determination table (see FIG. 41(b) ) is used to determine and store the execution pattern (performance mode) of the latter half of the variable performance.

(Step S1210-5)
The sub CPU 330a analyzes the received variation mode command and stores the variation mode number included in the variation mode command.

(Step S1210-7)
The sub CPU 330a acquires the effect random number (0 to 249) updated in step S1000-3, and based on the acquired effect random number and the variable mode number, the first half variable effect determination table (see FIG. 41(a) ) is used to determine and store the execution pattern (performance mode) of the variable performance in the first half.

(Step S1210-9)
The sub CPU 330a sets the time data of the time table of the variable effect based on the determination of each step. Based on the time table set here, in the time schedule management process of step S1600, the process of displaying the variable effect image on the effect display unit 200a and the sound of the audio output device 206 corresponding to the variable effect image are displayed. Production execution control such as output processing, lighting control processing of the production illumination device 204, and movement control processing of the production accessory device 202 and production operation device 208 is performed. At the time of the performance execution control, the sub CPU 330a transmits a control command including control details to the control unit among the image control unit 340, the sound control unit 350, the lighting control unit 360, and the movable body control unit 370. do.
Each control unit, upon receiving a control command, performs an operation based on the control command. Specifically, upon receiving the control command, the audio control unit 350 executes control for outputting the audio corresponding to the received control command from the audio output device 206 (that is, the speaker). Upon receiving the control command, the lighting control unit 360 executes control for emitting light corresponding to the received control command from the light source provided in the effect lighting device 204 or the like. When the control command is received, the movable body control section 370 executes control for moving the press button 208a and the performance accessory device 202 by an operation corresponding to the received control command.

(Step S1210-11)
The sub CPU 330a executes a setting suggestion effect execution lottery for determining whether or not to execute a setting suggestion effect in accordance with the variable effect, and shifts the process to step S1210-13.
The setting suggesting effect is a effect of suggesting the set value currently being set to the player, and is executed together with the variable effect and the jackpot effect. In this example, the setting suggesting effect is, for example, an effect suggesting the set value being set to the player by means of the background color of the effect display section 200a during the variable effect. The background colors in the setting suggestion effect are blue (corresponding to setting value 1), green (corresponding to setting value 2), yellow (corresponding to setting value 3), red (corresponding to setting value 4), tiger pattern (corresponding to setting value 5), and rainbow (corresponding to the set value 6). The gaming machine 100 can suggest the setting value being set to the player by setting one of these six background colors in the setting suggestion effect. Six background colors suggesting setting values may be referred to as setting suggestion mode. Further, when the setting suggestion effect is not executed, the background color of the effect display section 200a is set to white as the default background color.

When the sub CPU 330a acquires a setting suggestion random number randomly generated within a numerical range of 0 to 99, the sub CPU 330a reads a setting suggestion effect lottery table for the setting suggestion effect execution lottery. In the setting suggestion effect lottery table, a comparative numerical value (0 to 99) to be compared with a setting suggestion random number is assigned to each of "win" indicating winning and "loss" indicating non-winning. The sub CPU 330a determines whether or not the setting suggestion effect execution lottery is won depending on whether the comparative numerical value containing the acquired setting suggestion random number corresponds to "hit" or "losing".

(Step S1210-11)
The sub CPU 330a determines whether or not the result of the setting suggestion effect execution lottery is winning. When the sub CPU 330a determines that the result of the setting-suggestion effect execution lottery is winning (win) and it is decided to execute the setting-suggestion effect, the process proceeds to step S1210-15. On the other hand, when the sub CPU 330a determines that the result of the setting-suggestion effect execution lottery is non-winning (loss) and it is decided not to execute the setting-suggestion effect, the sub CPU 330a ends the variable command reception process.

(Step S1210-13)
The sub CPU 330a sets the time data of the timetable for the setting suggestion effect. Based on the timetable set here, in step S1600, the process of setting the background color of the effect display section 200a to the suggested setting mode corresponding to the set value being set is executed.
In the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, information on setting values being set can be obtained from setting value designation commands transmitted from the main control board 300 . The setting value designation command is set in the transmission buffer in the main control board 300 at step S100-53 in FIG. 18 (when power is restored) and step S410-21 in FIG. , is transmitted to the sub-control board 330 in the sub-command transmission process (see FIG. 19) of step S200-7. The setting value command includes setting value data (one of numerical values 0 to 5) indicating the setting value currently being set. When the sub-RAM 330c receives the setting value designation command, the sub-RAM 330c acquires the setting value data (one of 0 to 5) included in the setting value designation command and stores it in a predetermined area of the sub-RAM 330c. As a result, the sub CPU 330a can suggest the setting values currently being set to the player in the setting suggestion effect.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart for explaining the power-on special phase designation command reception process executed when the power-on special phase designation command is received in the command analysis process. As described above, the power-on special phase designation command is a command for transmitting to the sub-control board 330 that the normal game has been restored after the power is turned off. The power-on special phase designation command is set in the transmission buffer at step S100-53 in FIG. 18 or at step S410-21 in FIG. reference) to the sub-control board 330 .

(Step S1230-1)
In step S1230-1, sub CPU 330a analyzes the received power-on special phase designation command, stores it in a predetermined area of sub RAM 330c, and shifts the process to step S1230-3.

(Step S1230-3)
In step S1230-3, the sub CPU 330a determines whether or not it is time to return from the power cut that occurred during the variable effect, that is, whether the effect restarted upon power-on is the variable effect. The sub CPU 330a determines which of the various effects is to be returned based on the return designation state specified by the power-on special phase designation command. The return designation state is the progress state of the special game to be returned when the main control board 300 is turned on to enable a normal game (playable state), that is, the progress of the special game when the power is turned off. state.
The sub control board 330, when the gaming machine state of the gaming machine 100 becomes a playable state after the power is turned on and the normal game is started, produces an effect corresponding to the state of progress of the special game when the power is turned off in the main control board 300. Control will be resumed. In addition, the power-on special phase designation command may include special symbol determination data (type of special symbol determined at the start of fluctuation before power-off).

In this example, the sub CPU 330a, when the return designation state designated by the power-on special phase designation command is the state during special design fluctuation (state indicating that the main control board 300 is displaying the special design with fluctuation) , it is determined that it is time to return from the power cut that occurred during the variable effect, and the process proceeds to step S1230-5. On the other hand, when the return designation state designated by the special phase designation command at power-on is not the state during special symbol fluctuation, the sub CPU 330a determines that it is not the return timing from the power cut that occurred during the fluctuation performance, and step S1230-. Move to 7.

(Step S1230-5)
In step S1230-5, the sub CPU 330a sets the fluctuation production return flag indicating that it is the timing of returning from the power interruption that occurred during the fluctuation production to the ON state, and ends the power-on special phase designation command reception processing. The fluctuation effect return flag is stored in a predetermined area of the sub RAM 330c.

(Step S1230-7)
In step S1230-7, the sub CPU 330a determines whether it is the time to return from the power interruption that occurred during the jackpot effect, that is, whether the effect restarted when the power of the gaming machine 100 is turned on is the jackpot effect. In this example, the sub CPU 330a is the return timing from the power cut that occurred during the jackpot production when the return designation state designated by the power-on special phase designation command is a state related to the execution control of the big win game. , and the process proceeds to step S1230-9. The return designation state related to the execution control of the big win game includes, for example, the state during the opening at the time of the big win, the state during the closing of the big winning mouth (between rounds) at the time of the big win, the special electric accessory open state at the time of the big win, and the special electric accessory closed at the time of the big win. There is an effective return state and a return state during the ending at the time of the jackpot.
On the other hand, the sub CPU 330a determines that it is not the time to return from the power cut that occurred during the jackpot performance when the return designation state for designating the special phase designation command at power-on is not a state related to the execution control of the big win game, and the power is turned on. Ends the input special phase designation command reception processing.

(Step S1230-9)
In step S1230-9, the sub CPU 330a sets the jackpot effect return flag indicating that it is time to return from the power interruption that occurred during the jackpot effect to the ON state, and ends the power-on special phase designation command reception processing. The jackpot effect return flag is stored in a predetermined area of the sub-RAM 330c.

(Jackpot production decision processing)
FIG. 46 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the jackpot effect determination process (step S1300) executed in the sub timer interrupt process of the sub control board 330 (see FIG. 43). The big win effect determination process is a process for determining the mode of the big win effect based on the type of the big win symbol at the start of the big win game.

(Step S1300-1)
In step S1300-1, the sub CPU 330a determines whether or not it has received an opening designation command for transmitting the start of the big win game to the sub control board 330. The sub CPU 330a receives the opening designation command, and when it determines that it is time to start the big winning game, it proceeds to the process of step S1300-3. On the other hand, when the sub CPU 330a has not received the opening designation command and determines that it is not the time to start the round game, the sub CPU 330a ends the big win effect determination process without performing subsequent processes.

(Step S1300-3)
In step S1300-3, the sub CPU 330a determines a jackpot performance mode corresponding to the type of special symbol (jackpot symbol), and shifts the process to step S1300-5. Information on the jackpot pattern is acquired by the sub CPU 330a from the pattern type specifying command set in the transmission buffer in the process of step S610-11 in the main control board 300, and stored in a predetermined area of the sub RAM 330c. In the gaming machine 100, for each of the jackpot symbols A to D, a unique jackpot effect is prepared in which the display mode of the effect display unit 200a, the audio output mode of the audio output device 206, and the movable mode of the performance accessory device 202 are different. there is
When the sub CPU 330a reads the big win pattern stored in the sub RAM 330c, the sub CPU 330a acquires the big win performance mode corresponding to the big win pattern from a predetermined big win performance determination table held in the sub ROM 330b and determines the big win performance mode.

(Step S1300-5)
In step S1300-5, sub CPU 330a sets the time data of the time table corresponding to the determined jackpot effect mode, and shifts the process to step S1300-7. Based on the time table set here, in the time schedule management process of step S1600, the process of displaying a big win effect image (including a moving image) corresponding to the big win pattern on the effect display unit 200a, and the process of displaying the big win effect image Production execution control such as sound output processing of the audio output device 206 corresponding to , lighting control processing of the production lighting device 204, and movement control processing of the production accessory device 202 and the production operation device 208 will be performed.

(Step S1300-7)
In step S1300-7, the sub CPU 330a executes a setting suggestion effect execution lottery for determining whether or not to execute a setting suggestion effect in accordance with the big win effect, and shifts the process to step S1300-9. The setting suggestion effect execution lottery executed here is the same as the setting suggestion effect execution lottery in the process of step S1210-11. The winning probabilities may be different between the lottery for execution of setting suggestion performance when determining the variable performance mode and the lottery for execution of setting suggestion performance when determining the big win performance mode in this step. For example, a setting suggestion effect execution lottery may be performed based on different setting suggestion effect lottery tables at the time of determining the variable performance mode and at the time of determining the jackpot performance mode.

(Step S1300-9)
In step S1300-9, sub CPU 330a determines whether or not the result of the setting suggestion effect execution lottery is winning. When the sub CPU 330a determines that the result of the setting-suggestion effect execution lottery is winning (winning) and it is decided to execute the setting-suggestion effect execution, the process proceeds to step S1300-11. On the other hand, when the sub CPU 330a determines that the result of the setting suggestion effect execution lottery is non-winning (losing) and it is decided not to execute the setting suggestion effect, the sub CPU 330a ends the big win effect determination process and sub timer interrupt processing (Fig. 43).

(Step S1300-11)
In step S1300-11, the sub CPU 330a sets the time data of the time table of the setting suggestion effect, ends the big hit effect determination process, and returns to the sub timer interrupt process. Based on the timetable set here, in step S1600, the execution control of the setting suggestion effect (the process of setting the background color of the effect display unit 200a to the setting suggestion mode corresponding to the setting value being set) etc.) are executed.

(Variation production return processing)
FIG. 47 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the variable effect return process (step S1400) executed in the sub-timer interrupt process (see FIG. 43) of the sub-control board 330. FIG. The variable performance return processing is processing for returning to the interrupted variable performance (resuming the variable performance) at the timing of returning from the power interruption occurring during the execution period of the variable performance (during the variable performance).

(Step S1400-1)
In step S1400-1, the sub CPU 330a determines whether or not it is time to return to the variable effect from the power cut that occurred during the variable effect. When the sub CPU 330a determines that it is time to return to the variable effect because the variable effect return flag is ON, the sub CPU 330a sets the variable effect return flag to the OFF state and shifts the process to step S1400-3. On the other hand, when the sub CPU 330a determines that it is not the time to return to the variable effect because the variable effect return flag is off, it ends the variable effect return process and returns to the sub timer interrupt process.

(Step S1400-3)
In step S1400-3, sub CPU 330a determines the variable effect mode to be the default mode, and shifts the process to step S1400-5. The default mode of the variable effect may be, for example, a predetermined variable effect mode that does not correspond to the variable pattern or the variable command. In this case, the default mode is a mode that is selected in a situation different from normal, such as when the power is turned on after the power is turned off during the variable effect, or when the voltage drops. It is not selected at the time of determining the variable performance mode. In addition, the default mode of the variable effect may be common to some of the effect modes that can be determined as the mode of the normal variable effect. For example, reach A to D (see FIG. 41 (a)) part of the first half of the variable production mode (for example, the frame image bordering the inner circumference of the production display unit 200a in the background image) and production patterns 210a to 210c It may be combined with the scroll display as the default mode of the variable effect.

(Step S1400-5)
In step S1400-5, the sub CPU 330a sets a variable effect execution command indicating execution of the variable effect in the default mode in the transmission buffer, and ends the variable effect return process. Accordingly, when the image control unit 340, the audio control unit 350, the lighting control unit 360, etc. receive the variable effect execution command, they perform the operation related to the execution of the variable effect corresponding to the default mode.

In this example, in the default mode of the variable effect, the same operation continues in each effect device from the start to the end of the variable effect (for example, one variable effect image is continuously displayed in the effect display section 200a). be done. Therefore, the sub CPU 330a does not set the time data of the time table of the variable performance as in the determination of the normal variable performance mode, but executes the variable performance in the default mode by setting the variable performance execution command in this step. to start. When the sub CPU 330 a receives from the main control board 300 a special symbol stop designation command indicating that the special symbol has been stopped and displayed, the sub CPU 330 a transmits the command to the image control section 340 . As a result, the effect symbols 210a to 210c are stopped and displayed in the effect display section 200a, and the variable effect in the default mode is terminated. The performance symbols to be stopped and displayed are determined based on the special symbol determination data included in the power-on special phase designation command (special symbol type determined at the start of fluctuation before power-off).

(Jackpot performance return processing)
FIG. 48 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the jackpot effect return process (step S1500) executed in the sub-timer interrupt process (see FIG. 43) of the sub-control board 330. FIG. The jackpot performance return processing is processing for returning to the interrupted jackpot performance (resuming the jackpot performance) at the timing of returning from the power interruption occurring during the execution period of the jackpot performance (during the jackpot performance).

(Step S1500-1)
In step S1500-1, the sub CPU 330a determines whether or not it is time to return to the big win effect from the power cut that occurred during the big win effect. When the sub CPU 330a determines that the jackpot effect return flag is ON and it is time to return to the jackpot effect, the sub CPU 330a sets the jackpot effect return flag to the OFF state and shifts the process to step S1500-3. On the other hand, when the sub CPU 330a determines that the jackpot effect return flag is in the OFF state and it is not the time to return to the jackpot effect, the sub CPU 330a ends the jackpot effect return process and returns to the sub timer interrupt process.

(Step S1500-3)
In step S1500-3, sub CPU 330a determines the default mode as the jackpot effect mode, and shifts the process to step S1500-5. The default mode of the jackpot effect may be, for example, a predetermined jackpot mode that does not correspond to the type of the jackpot symbol (special symbols A to D). In this case, the default mode of the jackpot effect is a mode that is selected in an unusual situation, such as when the power is turned off during the jackpot effect (when the power is turned on) or when the voltage drops. It is not selected when determining the normal jackpot effect mode in step S1300). Also, the default mode of the jackpot effect may be common to a part of the jackpot effect mode corresponding to the type of the jackpot symbol. For example, a part of the jackpot effect mode corresponding to any one of the special symbols A to D (for example, part of a predetermined moving image (movie) or music) may be used as the default mode of the jackpot effect.

(Step S1500-5)
In step S1500-5, the sub CPU 330a sets a jackpot effect command indicating execution of the jackpot effect in the default mode in the transmission buffer, and ends the jackpot effect return process. As a result, a control command including control details for executing a jackpot effect in the default mode is transmitted to the image control unit 340, the audio control unit 350, the lighting control unit 360, etc., and each control unit operates based on the control command. , perform an operation related to the execution of the jackpot effect corresponding to the default mode.

In this example, in the jackpot effect in the default mode, the same operation is continued in each effect device from the start to the end of the jackpot effect (for example, one variable jackpot effect image is continuously displayed in the effect display section 200a). be. For this reason, the sub CPU 330a does not set the time data of the time table for the jackpot performance as in determining the normal jackpot performance mode, but executes the jackpot performance in the default mode by setting the jackpot performance command in this step. Start. When the sub CPU 330a receives from the main control board 300 the post-big win game state change designation command indicating the end of the big win game, the sub CPU 330a ends the big win effect in the default mode.

Next, the time schedule management processing (step S1600) in the sub timer interrupt processing (see FIG. 43) will be described. FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of time schedule management processing.

(Step S1600-1)
In step S1600-1, the sub CPU 330a refers to the time data set in the timetable to check the progress (execution time) of the effect being executed.

(Step S1600-3)
In step S1600-3, the sub CPU 330a sets various commands in the transmission buffer, turns ON/OFF various flags, or executes each effect according to the execution time (time data, etc.) of the effect being executed. By transmitting a command to the device, execution control processing of each performance including variable performance is executed, and the time schedule management processing is terminated.

(Setting Suggestion Effect Control Processing)
Here, setting suggestion effect control processing (step S1610) will be described as an example of control processing for various effects in the time schedule management process. FIG. 50 is a flowchart for explaining an example of setting suggestion effect control processing. The setting-suggestion effect control process is a process for controlling the execution of the setting-suggestion effect based on the time data set in the timetable.

(Step S1610-1)
In step S1610-1, sub CPU 330a refers to the time data corresponding to the setting suggestion effect in the time table, and determines whether or not it is time to start the setting suggestion effect. When sub CPU 330a determines that it is time to start the setting suggestion effect, the process proceeds to step S1610-3. On the other hand, when sub CPU 330a determines that it is not the time to start the setting suggestion effect, the process proceeds to step S1610-7.

(Step S1610-3)
In step S1610-3, sub CPU 330a refers to the set value data stored in sub RAM 330c to determine a suggested setting mode. Specifically, when the sub CPU 330a reads the suggested setting mode determination table stored in the sub ROM 330b, the sub CPU 330a determines the background color (suggested setting mode) of the effect display section 200a corresponding to the set value data. In this example, the sub CPU 330a determines the background color to be "blue" when the setting value data read from the sub RAM 330c is "0" (setting value 1), and the setting value data is "1" (setting value 2). ), the background color is determined to be “green”, the background color is determined to be “yellow” when the setting value data is “2” (setting value 3), value 4), the background color is determined to be "red";' (set value 6), the background color is determined to be 'rainbow'.

(Step S1610-5)
In step S1610-5, sub CPU 330a sets a setting suggestion start command including a setting suggestion mode (background color of effect display section 200a) in the transmission buffer. The setting suggestion start command is transmitted to image control section 340 in the output control process of step S1100-9. Upon receiving the setting suggestion start command, the image control section 340 sets the background color of the effect display section 200a based on the setting suggestion mode included in the setting suggestion command. As a result, it is possible to suggest the set value being set to the player.

(Step S1610-7)
In step S1610-7, the sub CPU 330a refers to the time data corresponding to the setting suggestion effect in the time table, and determines whether or not it is the end timing of the setting suggestion effect. When the sub CPU 330a determines that it is the end timing of the setting suggestion effect (for example, the end time of the variable effect and the end time of the jackpot effect), the process proceeds to step S1610-3. The setting suggesting effect ends, for example, in conjunction with the end of the variable effect or the jackpot effect being executed together. On the other hand, when the sub CPU 330a determines that it is not the end timing of the setting suggestion effect, it ends the setting suggestion effect control process.

(Step S1610-9)
In step S1610-9, sub CPU 330a sets a setting suggestion end command indicating to end the setting suggestion effect in the transmission buffer, and ends the setting suggestion effect control process. The setting suggestion command is sent to image control section 340 in the output control process of step S1100-9. When the setting suggestion end command is received, the image control section 340 sets the background color of the effect display section 200a to the default background color (white) that does not suggest the setting value. As a result, the set value suggesting effect ends.

(Recovery from power failure during fluctuation production)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 51(a) to 51(c), in the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, a variable effect is started, interrupted, and restored (restarted) due to recovery from a power cut that occurred during the variable effect. ) will be explained. FIG. 51(a) to FIG. 51(c) show the flow of start, interruption, and return (restart) of the variable performance in chronological order.

FIG. 51(a) is a diagram showing the state of the effect display section 200a at the start of the variable effect (first half variable effect). In this example, in the variation command reception process (step S1210), the first half variation effect mode is determined to be "reach A" (variation time of 12 seconds). At the start of the variable effect, as shown in FIG. 51(a), the effect patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c are indicated by thick arrows extending from the upper side to the lower side in the figure, substantially in the center of the display screen of the effect display section 200a. The variable display (variable effect) of the effect pattern that rotates (scrolls) sequentially at high speed in the direction is started. In addition, a heart-shaped image is displayed as a variable effect image 290a corresponding to the "Reach A" mode behind the effect patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c and in front of the background of the effect display section 200a.

In this example, in the variable command receiving process (step S1210), the lottery for execution of the setting suggestion effect is won (YES in step S1210-13), and the time data is set in the time table of the setting suggestion effect (step S1210-15). ). Therefore, the setting suggestion effect is started in accordance with the variable effect.
In this example, the sub-RAM 330c stores "3" (corresponding to the setting value 4) as the setting value data being set based on the setting value designation command transmitted from the main control board 300 at the time of the most recent power-on. is stored.
Therefore, in the setting suggestion effect control process (step S1610), the sub CPU 330a refers to the time table and determines that the same time as the start time of the variable effect is the start time of the setting suggestion effect (step S1610-1). YES), the setting value data "3" is loaded from the sub-RAM 330c, the setting suggestion mode is determined to be "red" (step S1610-3), and the image control unit 340 sends a setting suggestion start command including the setting suggestion mode "red". (step S1610-5). When the setting suggestion start command is received, the image control section 340 sets the background color of the effect display section 200a to "red". This suggests to the player that the set value 4 is being set at the start of the variable presentation. In FIG. 51(a), the background color "red" is schematically illustrated by fine dotted shading.

FIG. 51(b) shows the state of the effect display section 200a when a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has passed since the start of the variable effect shown in FIG. 51(a). FIG. 51(b) shows that the power supply of the game machine 100 is cut off due to a predetermined cause (for example, a power failure) during the variable effect in the “reach A” mode shown in FIG. generation) state is illustrated. When the power is cut off, for example, the effect display section 200a turns dark due to the cutoff of power supply. FIG. 51(b) schematically shows the effect display section 200a in a state of being darkened due to the power failure by the character string notation of "power failure".

FIG. 51(c) shows the state of the effect display section 200a when a predetermined time (for example, 180 seconds) has passed since the power failure occurred in FIG. 51(b). At the time shown in FIG. 51(c), the gaming machine 100 is powered on with the power-on mode set to "normal recovery mode (for example, the RAM clear detection switch 305s is off and the setting key switch 180s is off)". . Therefore, in the main RAM 300c of the main control board 300, for example, the progress of the special game at the time of power failure saved in the third area and the fourth area (see FIG. 5) is held, and in step S100-53 the main control board From 300, a special phase designation command including "special symbol fluctuating state" at power on and a setting value designation command including set value data "3" during setting similar to that at power off are transmitted as a return designation state.

The sub CPU 330a of the sub control board 330 analyzes and stores the power restoration designation command (step S1230-1) in the power-on special phase designation command reception process (step S1230), and determines the restoration designation state included in the power restoration designation command. is the "special symbol fluctuating state", and it is determined that it is the timing of returning from the power cut that occurred during the fluctuation production (YES in step S1230-3), and the fluctuation production return flag is set to the ON state (step S123-5). Further, sub CPU 330a stores the setting value data "3" in sub RAM 330c upon receiving the setting value specifying command in the command analysis process (step S1200).

In addition, the sub CPU 330a determines that the variable effect return flag is ON and it is time to return to the variable effect (YES in step S1400-1) in the variable effect return process (step S1400), and changes the variable effect mode. The default mode is determined (step S1400-3), and a variation performance execution command indicating execution of the variation performance in the default mode is set in the transmission buffer (step S1400-5). Thereby, for example, when receiving the variable effect execution command, the image control unit 340 displays the display mode of the variable effect in the default mode on the effect display unit 200a. Thereby, as shown in FIG.51(c), a variable production|presentation is restarted based on having returned from the power supply interruption during execution of a variable production|presentation. However, the resumed (restored) variable presentation mode is a mode (default mode) different from the mode ("Reach A" mode in this example) that was executed when the power was cut off shown in FIG. 51(a). Become.

As shown in FIG. 51(c), in the variable effect in the default mode, the variable effect image 290 is not displayed, and the effect symbols 210a, 210b, 210c scrolled at high speed are displayed. When the return designation state of the special phase designation command at power-on is the state during special symbol fluctuation, the main RAM 300c in the main control board 300 has the remainder of the fluctuation display time (fluctuation time) of the special symbols executed before the power was turned off. Time (timer counter value of special symbol variation display timer) is held. Therefore, at the time of recovery from power interruption during the variable performance, the variable performance is continued over the remaining time.

Further, in the variable effect return process (step S1400), the time data of the setting suggestion effect execution lottery and the time table of the setting suggestion effect are not set. Therefore, the background color of the effect display section 200a is the default background color (white) that does not indicate the set value.

As described above, the sub CPU 330a of the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to execute the variable effect during the execution period (an example of the specific period) for notifying the result of the major role lottery when the power failure occurs and within the execution period of the variable effect. When the power is restored from the power interruption, the set value being set which was suggested before the power interruption occurs is not suggested during the execution period of the variable performance after the power interruption is restored. More specifically, the sub CPU 330a executes the setting suggestive effect in the variable effect return process (step S1400) for determining the mode of the variable effect at the time of recovery from the power failure that occurred during the execution period of the variable effect. Do not perform any processing related to the decision. Therefore, the setting suggestion effect is not executed (see FIG. 51(c)) in the variable effect restarted after the power is turned off during the execution period of the variable effect, and the suggestion of the set value being set to the player is limited. be.

The gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment does not execute the setting suggesting effect in the variable effect restored when the power is turned on. Even when an event such as setting value change occurs, a setting suggestion effect is executed in a manner suggesting a setting value different from that at the time of power-off, thereby preventing the player from feeling uncomfortable. . That is, the gaming machine 100 can prevent inconsistency in presentation before and after recovery from power-off.

(Recovery from power failure during jackpot production)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 52(a) to 52(c), the flow of the start, interruption, and return (restart) of the variable presentation accompanying the recovery from the power cut that occurred during the jackpot presentation will be described. FIGS. 52(a) to 52(c) show the flow of start, interruption, and return (restart) of the jackpot effect in this order in chronological order.

FIG. 52(a) is a diagram showing the state of the effect display section 200a at the start of the big win effect. In this example, in the big win lottery on the main control board 300, "special symbol D" is determined as the type of the jackpot symbol. Therefore, in the big win effect determination process (step S1300), the sub CPU 330a determines the big win effect mode corresponding to the big win pattern (special symbol D) at the start of the big win effect (step S1300-3), and the time of the big win effect. Time data is set in the table (step S1300-5). As a result, at the start of the big win production, a control command instructing execution of the big win production in the big winning production mode corresponding to the special symbol D is transmitted to the image control unit 340, and the big winning production mode shown in FIG. 52(a) is produced. It is displayed on the display unit 200a. In this example, as an example of the jackpot effect mode corresponding to the "special symbol D", a character string image of "big win!!" A jackpot effect is started in which a concentration line image is displayed on the .

Also, in this example, in the jackpot effect determination process (step S1300), the setting suggestion effect execution lottery is won (YES in step S1300-9), and the time data is set in the time table of the setting suggestion effect (step S1300). -11). Therefore, the setting suggestion effect is started in accordance with the big hit effect.
In this example, the sub-RAM 330c stores "2" (corresponding to the setting value 3) as the setting value data being set based on the setting value designation command transmitted from the main control board 300 at the time of the most recent power-on. Suppose that Therefore, when the sub CPU 330a determines that it is time to start the setting suggestion effect in the setting suggestion effect control process (YES in step S1610-1), the sub CPU 330a loads the setting value data "2" from the sub RAM 330c and performs the setting suggestion mode. is determined to be "red" (step S1610-3), and a setting suggestion start command including the setting suggestion mode "yellow" is transmitted to the image control unit 340 (step S1610-5). When receiving the setting suggestion start command, the image control unit 340 sets the background color of the effect display unit 200a to “yellow”. This suggests to the player that the set value 3 is being set at the start of the variable presentation. In FIG. 52(a), the background color "yellow" is schematically illustrated by black dots.

FIG. 52(b) shows the state of the effect display section 200a when a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has passed since the start of the big win effect shown in FIG. 52(a). FIG. 52(b) shows a state in which power to the gaming machine 100 is cut off (occurrence of power cut) due to a predetermined cause (for example, power failure) during the jackpot effect in the mode shown in FIG. 52(a). showing. When the power is cut off, for example, the effect display section 200a turns dark due to the cutoff of power supply. In FIG. 52(b), similarly to FIG. 51(b), the effect display section 200a in a state of being darkened due to power failure is schematically shown by the character string notation of "power failure".

FIG. 52(c) shows the state of the effect display section 200a when a predetermined time (for example, 180 seconds) has passed since the power failure occurred in FIG. 52(b). At the time shown in FIG. 52(c), the gaming machine 100 is powered on in the same way as the power-on mode shown in FIG. 51(c) in the "normal recovery mode". Therefore, in the main RAM 300c of the main control board 300, for example, the progress of the special game at the time of power failure saved in the third area and the fourth area (see FIG. 5) is held, and in step S100-53 the main control board From 300, the setting value data "2 ” is sent.

The sub CPU 330a of the sub control board 330 analyzes and stores the power restoration designation command (step S1230-1) in the power-on special phase designation command reception process (step S1230), and determines the restoration designation state included in the power restoration designation command. is the "special electric accessory open state at the time of the big hit", and it is determined that it is the timing to return from the power cut that occurred during the big win production (YES in step S1230-3), and the big win production return flag is set to the ON state. (flow from NO in step S1230-3 to step S1230-9). In addition, sub CPU 330a stores the updated setting value data "2" in sub RAM 330c upon receiving the setting value designation command in the command analysis process (step S1200).

Further, in the jackpot effect return process (step S1500), the sub CPU 330a determines that the jackpot effect return flag is in an ON state and that it is time to return to the jackpot effect (YES in step S1500-1), and returns to the jackpot effect mode. The default mode is determined (step S1500-3), and a jackpot effect designation command indicating execution of the jackpot effect in the default mode is set in the transmission buffer (step S1500-5). Thereby, for example, when the image control unit 340 receives the jackpot effect specifying command, the display mode of the jackpot effect in the default mode is displayed on the effect display unit 200a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 52(c), the jackpot effect is restarted based on the recovery from the power interruption during execution of the variable effect. However, the resumed (restored) jackpot effect mode is different from the mode executed when the power failure shown in FIG. (default mode).

As shown in FIG. 52(c), in the jackpot effect in the default mode, the concentration line image shown in FIG. 52(1) is not displayed, and only the character string image "Big Win!!!" to be displayed. When the return designation state of the power-on special phase designation command is a state related to the execution control of the big role game, the main RAM 300c in the main control board 300 stores the remaining time (special game timer timer counter value) is held. Therefore, when the power is turned off during the big win performance, the big win performance is continued in accordance with the big win game over the remaining time.

Also, in the jackpot effect return process (step S1500), setting of the setting suggestion effect execution lottery and the time data of the time table of the setting suggestion effect are not set. Therefore, the background color of the effect display section 200a is the default background color (white) that does not indicate the set value.

In this way, the sub CPU 330a of the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment is powered off during the execution period of the big win game in which the big winning opening 128 opens and closes (an example of a specific period), and the power supply is interrupted during the execution period of the jackpot effect. When recovering from the power failure, the set value being set which was suggested before the occurrence of the power failure is not suggested during the execution period of the jackpot presentation after the recovery from the power failure. More specifically, the sub CPU 330a executes the setting suggestive effect in the jackpot effect return process (step S1500) for determining the aspect of the variable effect at the time of recovery from the power failure that occurred during the execution period of the big win effect. Do not perform any processing related to the decision. Therefore, in the jackpot performance restarted after the power is turned off during the execution period of the jackpot performance, the setting suggestion performance is not executed (see FIG. 52(c)), and the suggestion of the set value being set to the player is restricted. be.

The gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment does not execute the setting suggesting effect in the jackpot effect that is restored when the power is turned on. Even when an event such as setting value change occurs, a setting suggestion effect is executed in a manner suggesting a setting value different from that at the time of power-off, thereby preventing the player from feeling uncomfortable. . That is, the gaming machine 100 can prevent inconsistency in presentation before and after the power is restored.

As described above, in the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the sub CPU 330a (an example of the set value suggesting means), when a power failure occurs and recovers from the power failure, during a specific period after the power failure (variation (during the execution period of the performance or during the execution period of the jackpot performance).
With this configuration, the gaming machine 100 can prevent inconsistency in presentation before and after the power is restored.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the case where a power cut occurs during a variable performance and the variable performance is resumed when the power is restored from the power cut, the setting under setting is continued until the execution period of the restarted one variable performance ends. An example of restricting value suggestion (execution of setting suggestion effect) has been described (see FIGS. 47 and 51), but the present invention is not limited to this. The gaming machine 100 may be configured to partially restrict the execution of the setting suggestion effect during the execution period of one variable effect restarted when the power is restored. For example, the game machine 100, when a power failure occurs during the execution of the first half of one variable performance (for example, the first half variation performance of the reach variation pattern), suggests setting in the first half of the variable performance that resumes after returning from the power failure. Execution of the performance may be restricted, and the execution of the setting suggesting performance may not be restricted in the latter half of the variable performance following the resumed first half of the variable performance (for example, the latter half of the reach variable performance of the reach variation pattern). In this way, the gaming machine 100 limits the suggestion of the setting value being set in the first half of the execution period of one variable effect restarted when the power is restored, and does not limit the suggestion of the setting value being set in the second half. It may be possible to suggest setting values during configuration.

Further, in the present embodiment, the setting suggestion effect is performed together with at least one of the variable effect and the big win effect, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the gaming machine 100 may be configured to be able to execute the setting suggesting effect during the customer waiting state (during the demonstration display effect). Also in this case, the setting suggesting effect may not be executed in the demonstration display effect that is resumed when the power is restored from the power-off. In other words, the period during which the demonstration display effect is executed may be included in the specific period described above.

As a case where the demonstration display effect is resumed when the power is turned off, for example, it is assumed that the power-on mode is other than the normal return mode, that is, the RAM clear button 305 is pressed when the power is turned on. RAM clear button 305 Clears the third and fourth areas (see FIG. 5) of the main RAM 300c of the main control board 300, and does not hold the progress of the special game when the power is turned off. Therefore, when the power is turned on while the RAM clear button 305 is pressed, the main control board 300 transmits a power-on special phase designation command whose return designation state is "special symbol variation start waiting state". Based on this, the sub-CPU 330a of the sub-control board 330 starts the demonstration display presentation when the power is restored from the power-off.

Further, when the demonstration display effect is started when the power is restored from the power-off, the set values being set may have been changed since the power-off based on the power-on in the setting change mode. The game machine 100 is configured not to execute the setting suggestion effect when starting the demonstration display effect when the power is restored from the power off. not suggested to anyone. Therefore, the game machine 100 prevents the setting suggestion performance in the setting suggestion mode suggesting a setting value different from that before the power failure in the setting suggestion performance immediately after the power is restored, thereby preventing the player from feeling uncomfortable. In addition, it is possible to prevent inconsistency in presentation before and after recovery from power-off.

In addition, even when only the sub-control board 330 is reset during the specific period (for example, when the communication of the sub-control board 330 is cut off for some reason), the gaming machine 100 can be restored during the specific period. In (variation effect, jackpot effect, or demonstration display effect), the setting suggestion effect may be configured not to be executed. In this case, the sub CPU 330a sets a flag (sub RAM clear flag) indicating that the sub RAM 330c has been cleared during execution of the sub CPU initialization process (step S1000) to the ON state, and in the sub timer interrupt process (step S1100) When the flag is in an ON state, a demonstration display effect without setting suggestion effect may be executed.
Also, the gaming machine 100 may be configured such that when the sub control board 330 is reset, the main control board 300 transmits a power-on special phase designation command. In this case, even when the sub-control board 330 returns from the reset, the sub-CPU 330a can resume the rendering that was being executed at the time of the reset in the same manner as when the power is turned on. Also at this time, the sub CPU 330a can control not to execute the setting suggestion effect.

Here, the restriction on setting value suggestion (restriction on execution of the setting suggestion effect) in the gaming machine 100 is not limited to not executing the setting value suggestion effect. For example, the gaming machine 100 may be configured such that the winning probability of the setting suggestion effect execution lottery is low during a specific period (the setting suggestion effect execution lottery is executed using a setting suggestion effect lottery table with a low winning probability). good. In addition to this, the restriction on setting value suggestion may be limited to the display range of the setting suggestion effect (for example, not the entire background area of the effect display section 200a, but a part of the background may be set as the setting suggestion mode). ), or the execution time of the setting suggestion effect may be limited (for example, the setting suggestion effect is executed only for a short time (for example, 2 seconds) after the start or end of the variable effect or the jackpot effect).

Further, in the present embodiment, the background color of the effect display section 200a in the setting suggestion effect is selectable when the setting value being set is 2 or more, and when the setting value being set is 3 or more, "Blue" or "Green" can be selected, and if the setting value being set is 4 or more, "Blue", "Green" or "Yellow" can be selected, and if the setting value being set is 5 or more, " Blue, green, yellow, or red can be selected, and when the set value is 6, blue, green, yellow, red, or rainbow can be selected. may That is, when "rainbow" is selected as the background color, the player is definitely informed that the set value 6 is being set. When executing such a setting suggestion effect, the gaming machine 100 does not perform the setting suggestion effect in the effect that is restarted when the power is restored, so that the setting suggestion mode is downgraded (for example, during the setting of the set value 6). The setting mode is changed from "rainbow" indicating that there is a high probability that the setting value 2 is set to "blue" indicating that there is a high possibility that the setting value 2 is set). can be prevented. In addition, the gaming machine 100 can prevent a player's willingness to play from being reduced due to such inconsistency in presentation.

Further, in the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 53, a plurality of (three in this example) groups (setting suggestion effect groups) combining predetermined setting suggestion effect modes may be prepared. . In this case, when the sub CPU 330a determines that the setting suggestion effect execution lottery is won in the variable command reception process (see FIG. 44), for example (YES in step S1210-13), a plurality of setting suggestion effect groups A to C are selected by lottery. One of the groups may be determined, and a timetable for executing the effects included in the setting suggestion effect group determined by the lottery may be set (step S1210-15).

Here, setting suggestion effect groups A, B, and C shown in FIGS. 53(a) to 53(c) will be described.
The setting suggestion effect group A shown in FIG. 53(a) is a group of effect modes that suggest the set value being set according to the appearance frequency of each of a plurality of types of setting suggestion effect modes (three types in this example). . For example, it is assumed that setting suggestion effect group A is determined during the variable command reception process. In this case, in step S1610-3 of the setting suggestion effect control process (see FIG. 50), the sub CPU 330a selects "character effect", "cut-in notice", and "specific reach" with a probability corresponding to the set value being set. It decides whether or not to execute each of the effects.

In this example, in the setting suggestion effect group A, the setting value 1 has the highest execution probability (1/100), that is, the execution frequency is high, and the setting value 6 has the lowest execution probability. (1/150), that is, the execution frequency is set low. Further, the execution frequency of the "character effect" is set so as to gradually decrease from setting values 1 to 6. FIG. That is, the higher the execution frequency of the setting suggestive effect of the "character effect" mode, the lower the setting value being set is suggested to the player, and the lower the execution frequency of the "character effect", the higher the setting value being set. is suggested to the player.

In addition, in the setting suggestion effect group A, the "cut-in notice" has a high execution probability (1/110, 1/100) at setting values 1 and 6, that is, the execution frequency is set high, and setting values 3 and 4 are set. , the execution probability is low (1/310, 1/300), that is, the execution frequency is set low. In other words, the low execution frequency of the setting suggestion effect of the "cut-in notice" mode suggests to the player that the set value being set is moderate, and the high execution frequency of the "cut-in notice" It is suggested to the player that the setting value being set is closer to the lower limit (1) or the upper limit (6) than the medium (3, 4).

In addition, in the setting suggestion effect group A, the "specific reach effect" has the lowest execution probability (1/150) with the setting value 1, that is, the execution frequency is low, and the setting value 6 has the highest execution probability ( 1/100), that is, the execution frequency is set high. Further, the frequency of execution of the "specific ready-to-win effect" is set to be higher from set values 1 to 6 in sequence. In other words, the lower the execution frequency of the setting suggestion effect of the "specific reach effect" mode, the lower the set value being set is suggested to the player, and the higher the execution frequency of the "specific reach effect", the higher the setting value being set. is high.

Thus, in the setting suggestion effect by the setting suggestion effect group A, it is possible to suggest the set value being set according to the execution frequency of the plurality of types of effect modes. In addition, since it is possible to combine a plurality of kinds of modes as modes of the setting suggestion effect, it is possible to provide the player with a game rich in variety.

The setting suggestion effect group B shown in FIG. 53(b) is a group of effect modes in which the set values being set are suggested by the display colors of a plurality of types of images or the emission colors of the effect lighting device 204. FIG. In FIG. 53(b), the item "icon display" indicates a predetermined icon display image displayed in the effect display portion 200a, and the item "stamp display" indicates a predetermined stamp display image displayed in the effect display portion 200a. (an image in a mode different from the icon display image). Further, the item "Lamp light emission effect" indicates the effect of causing a predetermined LED lamp of the effect lighting device 204 to emit light. In addition, in FIG. 53(b), in the area where each setting value and "icon display", "stamp display", and "lamp light effect" intersect, the display color (image display mode or LED lamp lighting) corresponding to each setting value is displayed. light emission mode) is displayed.

For example, it is assumed that the setting suggestion effect group B is determined during the variable command reception process. In this case, in step S1610-3 of the setting suggestion effect control process (see FIG. 50), sub CPU 330a changes the mode (display color) of the icon display image and the stamp display image and the lighting mode of the predetermined LED lamp of effect illumination device 204. (emission color) is determined in a mode corresponding to the set value being set. As a result, in the setting suggestion effect by the setting suggestion effect group B, the setting value being set can be suggested by the display color of the image displayed on the effect display section 200 a or the light emission color of the effect lighting device 204 . Incidentally, when the setting suggestion effect group B is determined, the setting value suggestion effect may be executed by all of the icon display image, the stamp display image, and the effect lighting device 204, or the icon display image, the stamp display image, or the effect lighting may be executed. A setting suggestion presentation by at least one of the devices 204 may be performed.

The setting suggesting effect group C shown in FIG. 53(c) is a group of effect modes in which the lower limit value of the set value being set is suggested by the display color of the background image of the effect display section 200a. In FIG. 53(c), the item "background effect" indicates the display effect of the background image of the effect display section 200a. In addition, in FIG. 53(c), the display color of the background image corresponding to each setting value is displayed in the area where each setting value and "background effect" intersect. In this example, when the display color of the background image of the effect display section 200a is "white background", it is suggested that the set value being set is "1 or more". Similarly, when the display color of the background image is "blue background", it is suggested that the setting value in the setting is "2 or more", and when the display color of the background image is "green background" It is suggested that the setting value being set is "3 or more", and if the display color of the background image is "yellow background", it is suggested that the setting value being set is "4 or more", and the background When the display color of the image is "red background", it is suggested that the setting value in the setting is "5 or more", and when the display color of the background image is "rainbow background", the setting under setting A value of "6 or more" is suggested.

For example, it is assumed that the setting suggestion effect group C is determined during the variable command reception process. In this case, sub CPU 330a determines the display color of the background image to correspond to the set value being set in step S1610-3 of the setting suggestion effect control process (see FIG. 50). Thus, in the setting suggestion effect by the setting suggestion effect group C, the lower limit value (minimum value) of the set value being set can be suggested by the display color of the background image displayed on the effect display section 200a. In this example, when the setting value during setting is 1, the display color that can be determined as the display color of the background image is only "white background" indicating a setting value of 1 or more. If the number is two or more, the display color of the background image can be determined from among a plurality of colors. For example, if the set value in the set values is "3", "white background" indicates a set value of 1 or more, "blue background" indicates a set value of 2 or more, and "green background" indicates a set value of 3 or more. can be determined as the display color of the background image. Therefore, when the set value being set is 6, any one of the six display colors can be determined as the display color of the background image. If the set value being set is intermediate (for example, 4) or higher, a display color indicating a set value of 4 or higher may be easily determined as the display color of the background image.

As described above, the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment may be configured to be able to execute the setting suggestion effect of any one of the setting suggestion effect groups A, B, and C described above. Also, at the time of recovery from power-off (for example, immediately after recovery), command transmission/reception between the main control board 300 and the sub-control board 330 may become unstable (a state different from the normal state). For this reason, the sub CPU 330a may limit execution of none of the setting suggestion effect groups A, B, and C immediately after power-off, for example, or may limit one of the setting suggestion effect groups A, B, and C to be executed. (for example, setting suggestion group A) may be restricted to be executable. As a result, the game machine 100 can reduce inconsistencies in effects before and after the power is turned off even when setting values can be suggested by a plurality of setting suggestion effect groups.

In addition, in the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the specific period may be a period that spans a plurality of variable effects. In other words, the gaming machine 100 sets a period over a plurality of variable performances executed after the power-off when the power-off occurs and recovers from the power-off as a specific period, and sets one setting in the specific period. It may be configured to limit value suggestions (for example, limit execution of setting suggestion effects). For example, in a specific period, if the production that is restarted when the power is restored is a variable production, the restarted variable production and one or more variable productions that are executed continuously with the restarted variable production. It may be a period of time. In this case, the variable performance restarted at the time of recovery from the power cut is set as the first time, the first variable performance started after the restarted variable performance is set as the second time, and the variable performance following the first variable performance is set as the third and subsequent times. becomes.

For example, in the gaming machine 100, the period until the number of executions of the variable effect after recovery from power failure (variation number after recovery) reaches an arbitrarily set number of times (for example, 50 times) is defined as a specific period. good too.
In this case, the sub CPU 330a of the sub-control board 330, at the time of recovery from power failure (for example, fluctuation production return processing (see FIG. 47)) and at the start of the fluctuation production (for example, fluctuation command reception processing (see FIG. 44)) , the process of counting the number of post-restoration fluctuations may be executed. This makes it possible to count the number of post-recovery fluctuations, including the recommencement of the fluctuation performance at the time of recovery from power-off. It should be noted that the sub CPU 330a does not have to count the number of post-return fluctuations in the fluctuation effect return process. As a result, the number of post-recovery fluctuations does not include the restarted fluctuation effect.

Also, for example, if the gaming state of the gaming machine 100 is in the time-saving gaming state when the power is turned off, the period during which the time-saving gaming state continues (the period until the next jackpot is won, or The period until the number of derivation of the big winning lottery result after the start of the time saving gaming state reaches a predetermined time saving number of times) may be the specific period. In addition, when the game state of the gaming machine 100 is in the high probability game state when the power supply is restored, the period during which the high probability game state continues (the period until the next jackpot is won, Or the period until the number of derivation of the big winning lottery result after the start of the high probability game state reaches the high probability number) may be the specific period.
In this case, the sub CPU 330a executes a process of determining whether or not the time-saving game state or the high-probability game state has ended at the start of the variable effect (for example, the variable command reception process (see FIG. 44)). good. Thereby, the specific period can be ended with the end of the time saving game state or the high probability game state. In addition, if it is determined that the time-saving game state or high-probability game state has ended at the start of the first variable effect after the restarted variable effect when returning from power off, the restarted fluctuation It will be a period covering two times of variable production including production.

Further, the sub CPU 330a does not execute the setting suggestion effect execution processing (steps S1210-11 to S1210-15) in the variation command reception process during a specific period of time over a plurality of variable effects. You may restrict execution of production. As a result, the sub CPU 330a, when a power failure occurs and recovers from the power failure, sets It becomes possible to limit the suggestion of one setting value in Here, the variable performance executed within a specific period corresponds to, for example, the variable performance in the period until the number of fluctuations after returning reaches a predetermined number, or in the period until the time-saving game state or high-probability game state ends. .
In addition, the sub CPU 330a does not execute the process (steps S1300-7 to S1300-11) related to the execution of the setting suggestion effect in the jackpot effect determination process (FIG. 46) during the specific period over a plurality of variable effects. , the execution of the setting suggestion effect may be restricted. Further, similarly, the sub CPU 330a may limit the execution of the setting suggestion effect by not executing the process related to the setting suggestion effect execution in the demonstration display effect during the specific period described above. Thereby, the sub CPU 330a can limit the execution of the setting suggestion effect even during the performance other than the variable performance during the above-described specific period, that is, the period over a plurality of times of the variable performance.
In addition, the sub CPU 330a determines whether or not the number of fluctuations after return has reached a predetermined number, or whether the time-saving game state or the high-probability game state has ended, during a specific period over a plurality of variable effects The specific period may be terminated when a jackpot is won in In this case, the setting suggesting effect may be executable after the big win effect is completed, or the setting suggesting effect may be executable from the start of the big win effect.

In this way, the gaming machine 100 is not limited to the execution period of one jackpot effect restarted after the power is restored during the specific period or the execution period of one variable effect similarly restarted, and the execution of one jackpot effect or one variable effect. Execution of the setting suggestion effect may be restricted by setting a period over a plurality of times of variable effects, which is long compared to time, as a specific period. Thereby, the gaming machine 100 can provide a grace period until the setting suggestion effect is executed after the power is restored. Therefore, even when the main control board 300 is configured to have fewer opportunities to transmit the setting value designation command to the sub control board 330, the gaming machine 100 receives the setting value designation command in the sub control board 330 and the sub CPU 330a The setting suggesting effect can be executed after sufficiently securing a period until the setting value being set is recognized and stored. In addition, the gaming machine 100 ensures a sufficient period of time for returning from an unstable state of command transmission and reception to a normal state after the power is turned off as described above, thereby reducing inconsistencies in performance. be able to

Further, during a specific period over a plurality of variable effects, the sub CPU 330a generates a setting suggestion effect according to a mode of a plurality of (three in this example) setting suggestion effect groups shown in FIGS. 53(a) to 53(c). may be partially restricted. Specifically, the sub CPU 330a makes it possible to execute the setting suggestion effect according to the mode of some of the three setting suggestion effect groups, and the setting suggestion effect so as not to execute the setting suggestion effect according to the mode of the remaining groups. aspects may be controlled. For example, the sub CPU 330a can execute a setting suggestion effect in the mode of the setting suggestion effect group A (see FIG. 53(a)) during a specific period over a plurality of variable effects, and the setting suggestion effect group B and the setting suggestion effect The setting-suggestion effect may be controlled so as not to execute the setting-suggestion effect of the mode of the effect group C (see FIGS. 53(b) and 53(c)).
As a result, it is possible to reduce the inconsistency in the production in a state where command transmission/reception is unstable immediately after the power is turned off as described above during the specific period over a plurality of variable productions. It is possible to reduce inconsistencies in performance over the period.

In addition, if the effect restarted at the time of recovery from power failure is a demonstration display effect or a jackpot effect, the gaming machine 100 sets a period over a predetermined number of variable effects started after the restarted effect. Execution of the setting suggestion effect may be restricted as the specific period. Here, the predetermined number of variable effects started after the restarted production may be only the first variable production (one variable production) started after the restarted production, or may be continuous with the first variable production. It may be one or more variable effects to be executed. For example, the first variable performance started after the performance (demonstration display performance, jackpot performance, etc.) restarted when the power is restored becomes the first variable performance, and thereafter, the first variable performance is started continuously. The variable performance is the second and subsequent variable performance. Thereby, the game machine 100 can provide a grace period until the setting suggesting performance is executed after the power is restored even when the performance resumed when the power is restored is the demonstration display performance or the jackpot performance. .

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or modifications within the scope of the claims, and it should be understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention. be done.

(Modification 1)
In the above-described embodiment, the gaming machine 100, when a power failure occurs during a specific period (during the execution period of the variable performance or during the execution period of the jackpot performance) and recovers from the power failure within the specific period, the recovery Although the suggestion of one set value being set during the later specified period is limited, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, in the gaming machine 100 according to this modification, even if a power failure occurs during a specific period (during the execution period of the variable effect or during the execution period of the jackpot effect) and the power is restored within the specific period, It may be configured to be able to execute a setting suggestion effect.
In this case, the sub CPU 330a performs the processing related to the determination of execution of the setting suggestion effect (step S1210-11 to step S1210-15, The same processing as the processing from step S1300-5 to step S1300-11) may be executed. As a result, the sub CPU 330a can execute the setting suggesting effect in the same way as before the power is cut off in the variable effect and the jackpot effect that are restarted after the power is turned off.

FIGS. 54(a) to 54(c) show the flow of the start, interruption, and return (restart) of the variable effect accompanying recovery from the power interruption that occurred during the variable effect in the gaming machine 100 according to this modification. It is a figure explained in series. FIGS. 54(a) and 54(b), like FIGS. 51(a) and 51(b), are diagrams showing the states at the start of the variable effect and setting suggestion effect and at the time of power failure. Therefore, the explanation is omitted.

FIG. 54(c) shows the state of the effect display section 200a when a predetermined time (for example, 180 seconds) has passed since the power failure occurred in FIG. 54(b). At the time shown in FIG. 54(c), the gaming machine 100 is powered on with the power-on mode set to the "normal return mode", and at step S100-53 the main control board 300 designates the return state as the "special symbol fluctuating state". , and a set value designation command including set value data "3" during setting, which is the same as when the power is turned off.

The sub CPU 330a of the sub control board 330 sets the fluctuation performance return flag to the ON state in the power-on special phase designation command reception process (step S1230) (step S1230-5). Further, sub CPU 330a stores the setting value data "3" in sub RAM 330c upon receiving the setting value specifying command in the command analysis process (step S1200).
The sub CPU 330a, in the variable effect return process (step S1400), determines the variable effect mode to be the default mode (step S1400-3), and transmits a variable effect execution command indicating execution of the variable effect in the default mode to the transmission buffer. set (step S1400-5). Furthermore, in this modification, the sub CPU 330a executes a process related to determining the execution of the setting suggestive effect in the same manner as the processes of steps S1210-11 to S1210-15 after creating the variable effect execution command, and executes the setting suggestive effect. Suppose that the decision is made (time data is set in the time table for the setting suggestion effect).

Thereby, for example, when the image control unit 340 receives the variable effect execution command, as shown in FIG. 54(c), the variable effect in the default mode is resumed. Further, when restarting the variable effect, the sub CPU 330a executes the setting suggestion effect control process (step S1610), loads the setting value data "3" from the sub RAM 330c, and determines the setting suggestion mode to be "red" (step S1610). S1610-3), a setting suggestion start command including the setting suggestion mode "red" is transmitted to the image control unit 340 (step S1610-5). When the setting suggestion start command is received, the image control section 340 sets the background color of the effect display section 200a to "red". As a result, the player is suggested that the set value 4 is being set in the same manner as before the power cutoff in the variable performance resumed (restored) when the power is turned on after the power cutoff.

In this way, the sub CPU 330a of the gaming machine 100 according to the present modification can be executed within the execution period of the variable performance when the power interruption occurs during the execution period of the variable performance (an example of the specific period) for notifying the result of the major role lottery. When the power is restored from the power interruption, the set value that was being set before the occurrence of the power interruption may be suggested during the execution period of the variable performance after the power interruption is restored. More specifically, the sub CPU 330a executes the setting suggestive effect in the variable effect return process (step S1400) for determining the mode of the variable effect at the time of recovery from the power failure that occurred during the execution period of the variable effect. A decision-making process may be performed. As a result, the setting suggestion effect can be executed in the variable effect that is restarted after the power is turned off during the execution period of the variable effect (see FIG. 54(c)), and it is possible to suggest the set value being set to the player. becomes.

FIGS. 55(a) to 55(c) show the flow of the start, interruption, and return (restart) of the jackpot effect accompanying the recovery from the power interruption that occurred during the jackpot effect in the gaming machine 100 according to this modification. It is a figure explained in series. FIGS. 55(a) and 55(b), like FIGS. 52(a) and 52(b), are diagrams showing states at the start of the big win effect and setting suggestion effect and at the time of power failure. Therefore, the explanation is omitted.

FIG. 55(c) shows the state of the effect display section 200a when a predetermined time (for example, 180 seconds) has passed since the power failure occurred in FIG. 55(b). At the time point shown in FIG. 55(c), the game machine 100 is powered on with the power-on mode set to the "normal return mode", and in step S100-53, the main control board 300 sets the return-specified state to the "special electric accessory at the time of the jackpot." A power-on special phase designation command including "open state" and a setting value designation command including setting value data "2" during setting similar to that at power-off are transmitted.

The sub CPU 330a of the sub control board 330 sets the jackpot production return flag to the ON state in the power-on special phase designation command reception process (step S1230) (step S1230-9). Further, sub CPU 330a stores setting value data "2" in sub RAM 330c upon receiving the setting value specifying command in the command analysis process (step S1200).
The sub CPU 330a, in the jackpot effect return process (step S1500), determines the jackpot effect mode to be the default mode (step S1500-3), and sends a jackpot effect designation command indicating that the jackpot effect is to be executed in the default mode to the transmission buffer. set (step S1500-5). Furthermore, in this modification, the sub CPU 330a executes a process related to determining the execution of the setting suggesting effect in the same manner as the process from step S1300-5 to step S1300-11 after creating the jackpot effect specifying command, and executes the setting suggesting effect. Suppose that the decision is made (time data is set in the time table for the setting suggestion effect).

Thereby, for example, when the image control section 340 receives the jackpot effect designation command, as shown in FIG. 55(c), the jackpot effect in the default mode is restarted. Further, when restarting the jackpot effect, the sub CPU 330a executes the setting suggestion effect control process (step S1610), loads the setting value data "2" from the sub RAM 330c, and determines the setting suggestion mode to be "yellow" (step S1610). S1610-3), a setting suggestion start command including the setting suggestion mode "yellow" is transmitted to the image control unit 340 (step S1610-5). When receiving the setting suggestion start command, the image control unit 340 sets the background color of the effect display unit 200a to “yellow”. As a result, in the jackpot effect resumed (restored) when the power is turned on after the power is turned off, it is suggested to the player that the set value 3 is being set in the same way as before the power was turned off.

In this way, the sub CPU 330a of the gaming machine 100 according to the present modification can be executed during the execution period of the big win game (one example of the specific period) in which the big win opening 128 is opened and closed, and the power supply is interrupted during the execution period of the jackpot effect. When the power is restored from the power interruption, the set value that was being set before the occurrence of the power interruption may be suggested during the execution period of the jackpot performance after the power interruption is restored. More specifically, the sub CPU 330a executes the setting suggestive effect in the jackpot effect return process (step S1500) for determining the aspect of the variable effect at the time of recovery from the power failure that occurred during the execution period of the big win effect. A decision-making process may be performed. As a result, the setting suggestion effect can be executed in the jackpot effect restarted after the power is turned off during the execution period of the variable effect (see FIG. 55(c)), and it is possible to suggest the set value being set to the player. becomes.

As described above, in the gaming machine 100 according to the present modification, the sub CPU 330a (an example of the setting value suggesting means) is powered off during a specific period (during the execution period of the variable effect or the execution period of the jackpot effect). However, when the power is recovered from the power failure within the specified period, it may be possible to suggest one set value during the specified period after the recovery.
With this configuration, the game machine 100 can restart the setting suggestion performance suggesting the same set value as before the power cutoff after the power is restored, and the performances before and after the recovery from the power cut have a sense of unity. As a result, it is possible to prevent inconsistency in performance from occurring. In addition, even if the setting suggesting effect is not executed before the power is turned off, the setting suggesting effect is newly started in accordance with the effect that is resumed when the power is restored, and the set value being set is suggested to the player. be able to.

(Other modifications)
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the setting suggesting effect is an effect of suggesting the set value being set to the player by the background color of the effect display section 200a, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, in the setting suggestion effect, six colors corresponding to each setting value are prepared as the background color in the setting suggestion effect, but the setting value is divided into ranks (for example, low, medium, high), and each rank corresponds The background colors (three colors) attached may suggest the rank of the set value to the player.
In addition, when the set value being set is a relatively high value (for example, 4 or more), by displaying an image (for example, a predetermined character) that is not normally displayed, the set value of the relatively high value is displayed to the player. may suggest that is set.
Also, depending on the execution frequency of the setting suggestion effect, it is possible to suggest to the player whether the set value being set is high or low. In this case, if the set value being set is a relatively high value (for example, 4 or more), the setting suggestion effect lottery table with a high winning ratio of the setting suggestion effect execution lottery (for example, 70/100 or more) is used. , when the setting value being set is a relatively low value (for example, 3 or less), a setting suggestion effect lottery table with a low winning ratio of the setting suggestion effect execution lottery (for example, 30/100 or less) is used. may be configured.
Also, the setting suggestion effect as described above may be executed only when the set value among the set values is an odd number or only when it is an even number.
Also, the gaming machine 100 may be configured to select an arbitrary setting suggestion effect from the plurality of types of setting suggestion effects as described above. In this case, for example, at the time of recovery from power failure, it is possible to perform an effect that suggests to the player the level of the set value being set depending on the execution frequency of the setting suggestion effect, and it is not possible to select any other setting suggestion effect. This may serve as a restriction on setting suggestion effects.

In the above embodiment, the setting value designation command is set in the transmission buffer at step S100-53 in FIG. 18 (when power is restored) and step S410-21 in FIG. and transmitted to the sub-control board 330, the present invention is not limited to this. The setting value designation command may be transmitted to the sub control board 330, for example, each time the variable effect is started. Specifically, the set value designation command may be set in the transmission buffer after the variation pattern command is set in step S612-17 and transmitted to the sub control board 330. FIG. Thereby, the sub CPU 330a of the sub control board 330 may execute the setting suggestion effect based on the reception of the setting value designation command at the start of the variable effect.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the low-probability jackpot determination table and the high-probability jackpot determination table used for the jackpot determination are both set values, but not limited to this, the low-probability jackpot determination table used for the jackpot determination and In any of the high-probability jackpot determination tables, the jackpot determination may be common to all set values.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, each special symbol may be associated with whether or not to execute a small winning game in which the big winning opening 128 opens and closes, in addition to the big winning game that is advantageous to the player. That is, the gaming machine 100 may be configured to determine any one of a big win, a small win, or a loss in the big win lottery. In this case, the big winning game and the small winning game are collectively called the winning game. In addition, along with the execution of the small winning game at the big winning opening 128, the game that the winning of the small winning is performed using the production device such as the production display unit 200a, the production accessory device 202, the production lighting device 204 and the sound output device 206. A small hit effect to be notified to the player may be executed. In this case, the sub CPU 330a determines the jackpot effect mode based on the small win pattern (the special pattern determined when the small win determination result is obtained) in the same manner as in the jackpot effect determination process (see FIG. 46). A small hit effect determination process may be executed.
Also, in this case, the gaming machine 100 is powered off during the execution period (example of a specific period) of the winning game (big winning game or small winning game) in which the big winning opening 128 opens and closes, and the winning performance (big winning performance or small winning When the power is restored from the power interruption during the execution period of the power interruption, the setting value that was being set before the power interruption occurred is changed during the execution period of the winning production after the power interruption is restored. It may be configured not to suggest. In this case, the sub CPU 330a may execute a small hit effect return process for determining the mode of the small win effect when the power is restored from the power failure, similarly to the big hit effect return process (see FIG. 48). As a result, the sub CPU 330a can execute a small winning effect according to the default mode at the time of recovery from power failure.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned game characteristics, that is, the game progress conditions and various control methods are only examples. , contents, etc., of the game profit to be given to the player can be appropriately designed within a range in which the object of the present invention can be achieved.

In the above embodiment, the main CPU 300a that controls the special game based on the set value corresponds to game control means. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main CPU 300a that executes the big winning lottery corresponds to the lottery means. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sub CPU 330a that executes the variable effect based on the variable command from the main control board 300 corresponds to an example of the variable effect executing means.

100 game machine 300 main control board 300a main CPU
300b Main ROM
300c Main RAM
330 sub-control board 330a sub-CPU
330b sub ROM
330c sub-RAM

Claims (1)

A game control means for progressing a game according to one set value being set among a plurality of stages of set values;
A result of a lottery executed based on a predetermined random number obtained based on the entry of a game ball into a starting area provided in a game area where the game ball can flow down and one set value in the setting, a variation processing execution means for performing variation processing for notifying according to the mode of the stopped display of the symbol after the predetermined symbol is variably displayed;
setting value suggesting means capable of suggesting to the player that the one setting value is set;
with
When the variable display interrupted due to the occurrence of power failure is resumed on the basis of recovery from the power failure, the set value suggesting means is configured to: A gaming machine characterized in that it restricts suggestions that the one setting value is set.

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